51 Comments

Long time fan and lurker, Chris. This made me smile AND tear up. Good for you.

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I'm so glad that you enjoyed such a wonderful day in Washington, DC with your son and three of his classmates.

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Glad you are enjoying most days. ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR FAMILY.

Hang in there. Having retired after 50+ years of scheduled, goal/task oriented labor, it hasn't taken long to learn to enjoy being able to plan ahead, or not having to. Be free.

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I guess you're getting to live the fact that people on their deathbeds don't wish they had spent more time in the office! I do look forward to hearing or reading your work again in some media space, but am happy for you that you can appreciate time with your family and know that your value as a human being comes from who you are and not where you work. Your contributions in the future will be enriched by this time you're spending with your family and in the world outside of the scrum of politics. I wish you a very rewarding interim.

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Sometimes, we need to remember the joy in being husband, father, wife, mother, daughter, son, or cousin, and not worry about anything else. We need to take Matthew 6 to heart, "DO not worry about what you will eat..." etc. and relish (pun intended) the sheer wonder of the relationships we have formed with others.

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Chris,

I was "between jobs" in corporate America when my daughter was in 2nd grade (2001). I became a "Parent-Helper" in which I did a variety of reading and math work with the students.

As a former high school teacher, I was impressed with the dedication and creativity of elementary school teachers (their lessons would have worn me out!!). Don't get me wrong, I loved my experience in the late '70s and early '80s, when I could rely on audio-visual and discussion tools to motivate bored students

That said...I think every parent should put in more time to their kids' education than simply showing up at Parent-Teacher meetings (usually less than a third...sigh!)

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Good for you Chris. Very nice piece. The trick for all of us, of course, is to achieve this kind of balance while also working. But you have a great foundation because a. I know from personal experience that you were an attentive and involved father even while you were at CNN and b. Judging by my email inbox each day, you’re not exactly being a slacker during this period of unemployment

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Terrible to be laid off. Wonderful that you are open to having such priceless experiences. Money and fame can never give us these connections with our kids.

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Delightful article. Glad it's working out for you. Bravo.

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That's wonderful! I applaud you for finding and embracing the good things in this phase of your life.

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Chris, I'm so glad you were able to have fun with your son. Though $10 for a milkshake from a food truck is insane. Makes me think of:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qOvaBKugT8

I got laid off around the same time you did and while it created a lot of anxiety that still persists, I ended up doing some traveling and went to the Texas Panhandle/New Mexico/Oklahoma and to Washington State and I'm really glad I did.

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Good for you, Chris! I agree that one should define oneself by family and friends and values, not by a career or a profession or a reputation. I transitioned between working situations multiple times in my 45 years of employment/self employment. I learned to use each transition as a time to reflect and adjust, to treasure those who supported me in times of success and rejection no matter what the circumstances. They love you for who you are, not for the job you do!

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Yuri, my partner is a biologist who has taught students for 40 years. He and I follow the science. We are both fully vaccinated and healthy, though hardly young. I'm not sure what science you are referring to. Science changes when the data change.

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Those are the moments that truly define a life. At the proverbial end, will you think about a great show on CNN, or will you think back to this moment with your son? I'm betting that it would be the latter and not the former.

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Great stuff! I am glad you figured out what is truly important. My identity was always tied to my career. You are doing way better and that is good for you and your family!!

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La Cheeserie! I am so happy for you, and this time is the best present you can give your kids. I will never regret the time spent in the car driving to swim meets because of the conversations had along the way. Many revolved around a certain podcast done by a bald orange man.

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