Last week, for the first time in over a year, one of my sons and I resumed having our monthly lunch at a lovely restaurant with outdoor seating.

It felt great to return to our regular routine, as if our lunch conversations had never been interrupted.

At some point my son brought up the subject of saving money. “When I was young,” I said, “I had two major reasons to save money.  First, to pay for whatever medical care my family might need.  Second, to pay for a college education for my children.”

He laughed.  “That’s exactly what my father-in-law says, and as you know, he’s from another country.”

I was delighted to learn that another member of our extended family shares the same value.

There are other reasons why you might want to save money.  When he was 18, my father held a full time position as First French Horn for the Minneapolis symphony orchestra.  He saved part of his salary so he could afford to get married.  I certainly like the result of that idea.

When I was 21 I formed a specific plan to accumulate enough money to retire at age 35.  Fourteen years later, despite achieving my financial goal, I found that I enjoyed my work so much that I continue. It’s been another 46 years so far.  I feel like the airline pilot who announced to his passengers, “Ninety-nine percent of the time you don’t need me.  But when you do need me, you really need me.” I’m glad I continue be here for so many investors through the years to help them achieve their own financial goals, and accumulate enough money to support what’s most important in their lives.

Today, all of my children are grown and able to support themselves. They handle their own money, and can pay for their own education and health care.  Now I can take delight in the delightful people they turned out to be.  Every one of them has graduated from college and is making their mark in the world.  Now it’s their turn to provide health care and a good education for children of their own.

Alan

Today is Saturday, May 15, 2021, and it’s much like any other Saturday in May.  This morning I enjoyed a walk with my daughter, the freshening breeze against our cheeks.  At the midpoint we stopped to admire the panoramic San Fernando Valley below.

Today is much like any other Saturday in May.  Except…

Except that today Michael Jordan will step behind a podium and introduce Kobe’s widow, Vanessa, to posthumously induct Kobe Bryant into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.  Kobe’s daughter, Natalia Bryant, will wear her late father’s Hall of Fame jacket.  I expect she will have tears beneath her smile.

Kobe was one of the best, and one of the best known, to ever play professional basketball.  He spent his entire career as a Los Angeles Laker, and was the first guard in history to play for 20 seasons.  Daveen and I attended many of his games, though, sadly, we were absent from his 81-point effort against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.  In both the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics he won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. national team.

I was, and I am, impressed by Kobe’s legacy as an elite athlete.  But I am far more impressed by Kobe as a human being.  He said he wanted more out of his life than just a successful basketball career.  And he achieved that goal.

Kobe and his wife Vanessa founded a family foundation.  Its mission was “helping young people in need, encouraging the development of physical and social skills through sports and assisting the homeless.” During his life he granted more than two hundred requests for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  At the time of his death he was working on a children’s book to inspire underprivileged children.

After his retirement Kobe won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film for the film Dear Basketball.

Kobe and his daughter Gianna died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California at 9:06 am Pacific Standard Time on January 26, 2020.  The day was much like any other day in January.  Except…

Kobe, I never met you.  But, like many others, I feel I know you.  And I will admire you, always.

Rest in peace, Kobe.

Rest in peace.

Alan

As the weather in Los Angeles grows warmer, it feels great to open a few windows to let in the fresh air, especially after hanging out at home for more than a year.

But apparently the inside of our home was as appealing to the flies outside as the fresh breeze was to me inside.  When I walked into the kitchen there were several uninvited guests flying from window to window, unsuccessfully trying to get back outside through the glass.

Actually, there were more than several. But I stopped counting at thirty.

Daveen promptly found two fly swatters, and, fully armed, we both began to hunt down every member of the invading hoard.

In the hallway two flies managed to evade us for nearly ten minutes, but we prevailed.  In our bedroom two stunned flies fell behind Daveen’s heavy desk and are probably still there.  In the kitchen flies zipped from window to window in a frenzy. Have you ever tried to swat a fly resting on a window six feet above the kitchen sink?

I’m happy to report that, for the most part, the invasion has been repelled. There are still a few stragglers buzzing about the house, but we are armed and ready.

I will not open any more windows unless there are screens in place, and whenever we go outside Daveen and I move through the door as quickly as we can, to SLAM the door on potential intruders.

Now when I pick up a fly swatter Daveen refers to me as “Lord of the Flies.”  I guess that makes her “Lady of the Flies.”  We do make an awesome team!

Alan