How To Raise Kids Who Don't Follow The Herd

Grandma Sara and Brooklyn

What better gift to give your mom on Mother's Day than to tell her something you've learned from her, I ask?

"Brian, how about an iPad or something.  Wouldn't that be a better gift?"  Well, maybe, but this is cheaper, so here goes.

One of best lessons I've learned from my mom is best illustrated from something that happened in 8th grade. 

Coke (a-cola) in Haiti

Only one of these were mine. OK, two.

In an effort to lose some poundage, I'm literally throwing away a dollar bill every time I drink a Coke or sweet tea in the month of March.

My love of Coke (a-cola*) knows no borders. I went with a team to Haiti this past July to rebuild a widow's house in Delmas (near Port-au-Prince). Breakfast and dinner were included at the guest house where we were staying, but Cokes were an additional $2.  Since I always made sure to have one, the guys made fun of me, and this picture was produced:

Near the end of the build,