It’s time for my #Top9of2020! Like everybody else, there were lots of ups and downs and opportunities for personal growth.

(1) Murphy and I went to the NFL AFC divisional playoff game at Arrowhead where the Chiefs rallied from a 24-0 deficit to beat the Texans, 51-31;

(2) I was inducted into my high school alma mater’s athletic Hall of Fame – an emotional honor that I will always treasure;

(3) At the drop of a hat, we returned from Spring Break to virtual learning where I converted a basement half bathroom into a recording studio classroom;

(4) In the spring, we learned Murphy earned his way into the U.S. Air Force Academy – what a tremendous accomplishment!

(5) The lockdown this spring and summer ended up creating personal learning opportunities – namely, beginning the lifelong never-ending process of understanding worthwhile movements like Black Lives Matter and the back stories of those different than me and, from a lighter standpoint, figuring out TikTok and making amusing videos sometimes featuring my dogs;

(6) Murphy’s high school graduation was unlike any other, but he still ended up #2 in his class of 377!

(7) Murphy started at the Air Force Academy in late June, and I was able to see him for the first time in Colorado Springs on my birthday in October for a round of golf;

( It was a great honor to referee the state volleyball tournament in Missouri this year including the Class 4 championship match;

(9) After all the uncertainty surrounding 2020, you can always count on family—it was great to spend the holiday season with relatives in-person and virtually online.

I know this year has been more than stressful for many of you. January 1 can’t get here soon enough. I pray that you as an individual and that us collectively as a society are able to find that balance to make positive strides forward. For me, while navigating this year’s land mines, having a solid belief and foundational structure made all the difference in staying optimistic, humble, and grounded. So, as we turn the page on this year, draw upon the energy from the positive events of your last 12 months, and learn from the negative, but try not to dwell on it. Be curious and always look to be just a little bit better tomorrow than what you were today. Here’s to 2021!