I can’t recall every putting a video up, but this one was certainly worth sharing. You may have see it, but it’s the first time that I’ve seen it and it is chilling. It also points out the seriousness of being a parent. Want it or not, our children mimic us.
One of the best things that I’ve ever done in front of Tony was to help a blind man cross some train tracks to get to his bus. The 3 of us, my wife, Tony, and I had come from downtown. Each day, my wife and I rode the train from home to work in downtown Dallas and Tony stayed at the YMCA. On this particular day, on the way home, there was a blind man riding who got off at the same stop. Many people just walked on by as he attempted to make his way down the walkway. To get to the bus, which would take him home, he had to cross the train tracks, walk down a set of stairs, and go to the bus terminal. Not an easy task, to be sure, especially being blind. At first, I was hesitant, I didn’t want to assume that he couldn’t do it. I’d been taught to be very politically correct, but then overcame my fear, of ‘insulting’ him. I asked, simply, if I could help him. He happily agreed and was very thankful. We walked him to the terminal, made sure that he was in the right place for his bus, and then went our way. I would see him from time to time in downtown, but never saw him again on the train.
At that time, I didn’t realize how much of a defining moment that had been for Tony. Even though this happened in 2000, when Tony was 8, he still speaks of it today. He talked about it the other day when I told him that I saw an accident happen. He asked if I stopped and offered help or if I called the police. I told him that was about to stop, but that there were already 2 people on the scene, one calling the police, the other offering help, so I continued on my way. He was happy that I had thought to stop, then he repeated the story about the blind man and who cool that was.
On a smaller note, he saw a spider crawling on the couch, went got a piece of paper, scooped him up, and took him outside to release it rather than kill it. I was impressed, told him so, and thanked him for doing that. 
Even though they defy you sometimes, they are always watching, both the positive and negative reactions that you have. True, they have their own personalities, but they look to us as guides. My goal is to be in that positive role model mode, but I don’t always succeed.
Anyway, it’s a fantastic commercial. For my friends who may be locked down behind a firewall, like my friends at Wachovia, here is the link to the video so that you can check it out when you break out of prison!
If you’d care to share your role model stories, I’d love to hear them.
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