What some rock stars are showing me about good parenting

Issue #101

I know some rock stars. The real deal kind of rock stars, as in the entire world knew their name for long time, and this very day you could probably find someone playing their music down a long, dusty road in some outback, frontier or secret hideout. Their music wasn’t exactly my cup of pop back when I first heard them, but since meeting them in real life many years later, I’ve become a pretty big fan.

I can’t say I know them. I don’t. But we’re friendly and have shared some small slices of life together. Our kids are friendly. In terms of one-on-one conversation time, I’ve actually had a lot more face time with their dad, who I respect as a man of deep faith and compassion for others.

Gloss Mountain State Park, Fairview, OK.

I’ve met, interviewed, run into or otherwise been in the orbit of famous people for a long time. My wife has too—she babysat for senators and other TV notables. She grew up in a world filled with policymakers, movers and political shakers. She would always say meeting famous people was no big deal—she’d met enough to know that they’re just human beings. I always thought she was humble-dropping*. For example, if I told you that I once met Chuck Palahniuk (author of Fight Club) and Donald Rumsfeld in the same room about a week apart, I’d be completely full of crap if I tried to tell you it was no big deal—I still think it’s really cool.