, Author at Rettew Creative

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When will it be time for a female President?

I have often wondered! When President Obama won the elections in 2008 and 2012, did those elections paved the way for America to accept a female President in 2016, specifically Hillary Clinton? Or is my white, male privilege lens skewed to far out-of-whack to entertain this conversation…this thought process?

I have a daughter and I firmly believe she is growing up in a time when the notion of a female president is going to move far beyond the mainstream, a time in American history that will pave the way for that commonplace. During the 2010 campaign, there was a poster released from the Obama for America camp that read this:

“We must carry forward the work of the women who came before us, ensure our daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements, and not remaining ceilings to shatter.”

rose’s last day at south fant – remembering the big decision

Today was Rosebud’s last day at South Fant’s 3K Program and what an amazing year! Not only did Rose learn so much, but were learning right along side her. I remember her first day of school like it was yesterday. As we were getting out of the car, putting on her backpack, and making our way to the front door, Rose said, “Mommy, her skin is brown?” Sarah responded so beautifully, “Yes Rosebud, look how beautiful…you should ask her name.”

It was that moment in time, we knew we made the right decision; and so began our journey of truly learning about race, class, ethnicity…and most importantly, white privilege. As our journey began, we knew that South Fant was the most wonderful decision we made as parents!

Here is what I write the days leading up to her first day of school in 2015. This is one of many posts I will be sharing from this past year. I hope you follow along this journey!

it is time for a change…in this post 40 era

For the last few years…my blog has been dedicated to so many different arenas from digital marketing, storytelling, content marketing, client stories, and many other narratives leveraged for business. I am changing my writing!

It is time for a change *and* time to start writing my heart. For so long I have held back my personal struggles, beliefs, moments of glory…narratives that make me real. It is time to write for me and to share the stories that need to be shared.

As a young father who is now learning what it means to live in a post 40 world, my life is changing rapidly. I am learning what it really means to be a father, a husband, and son, and provider, and most importantly a writer. I have found my gift later in life and it is the ability to bring narratives to life. It is time to share my narrative.

As a man who is the product of divorced upbringing, a husband who watched his wife loose her mother to breast cancer and witness her death, to a father who could have had four children (three lost to miscarriages), business person who suffered through the 2008 economic nose dive and barely survived, a former journalist who has witnessed/captured national and international tragedies first hand…it is time to share.

Life with Rose and Sarah is amazing…and so are the struggles and celebrations that are the textured wrinkles in my daily skin, I call life.

I look forward to sharing many narratives that truly reveal my hopes to be a better man!

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Shutter and aperture mechanism inside this Brownie Target Six 20

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#BeADad: Bart Ellis and his girls

Have you ever wondered how two little girls can smile so much? Well…if you are Elsie and Pearl, you just might think your daddy is awesome! Bart Ellis is by day a financial planner, but year round a daddy to two beautiful girls. I had the pleasure spending time with them, learning what it means to be a Good Man and a Good Daddy! #ManUPstate #Canon #5dmarkiii #BringIt

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#BeADad: Neil Batavia and his lovely girls

There is so much about fatherhood that is so embedded in us, that when funny little moments happen…they remind us that life is full joy. What a happy moment to watch Neil Batavia just be a dad! #ManUPstate #Canon #5dmarkiii

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#BeADad: Derek Lewis and William

I have enjoyed spending time with different fathers as we work on this #ManUPstate project leading up to Father’s Day. Derrick Lewis is an amazing man! I so enjoyed spending a few hours with Derrick and William as they read books on the front porch and played tee-ball in the front yard. We all can learn more from Derrick and how he is such a wonderful father and leader in our community! #Canon #5dmkiii #c100 #fatherhood