Purpose

Purpose a simple word meaning something one intends to get or do, or determination, or the object for which something exists or is done by design.

In our lives, purpose plays a very integral part in our ability to define who we are and what makes us unique. For example, as a youngster my purpose was to be a good son, be a good brother to my sisters, be a good student and be a good athlete.

As I grew older my purposed became somewhat more complex — it included becoming a good college student and make a good life decision in choosing a profession. It became obvious I wanted to become a teacher/coach. Thus, I began my quest teaching and coaching at several schools in Florida and Georgia. My purpose transformed again when I fell in love with Miss Kathy Watkins. I grew to serve multiple purposes — as a husband, as a teacher and coach, and eventually a father of two great sons and a beautiful daughter.

My purpose at school become more complex as I coached several sports: football, basketball, tennis, and track. I became an administrative assistant along with my teaching duties. I later became Athletic Director at Duluth High school, in charge of hiring coaches, building facilities, and responsible for all athletic programs.

Then my purpose took an unexpected turn once again — I got cancer. I decided to challenge three cancers: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer. During my cancer battle my life became drastically altered and challenging. I lost my coaching duties, I lost my athletic director position, and my overall reputation was tarnished. Through this new hurdle in my life, I had to redefine ‘purpose’.

After several years of horrendous treatment, I put my foe, cancer, in remission. My purpose finally became apparent to me once again. I should provide encouragement to those who were suffering from this dreaded disease. I returned to teaching at my second home, Duluth High School. I was afforded opportunities to coach basketball at two private schools, Mount Pisgah Christian School and Greater Atlanta Christian School, with longtime coaching friend Eddie Martin. This became my new purpose. My revitalized purpose allowed me to win one state championship and be part of four other state basketball championships.

I got to see my sons and daughter graduate from college. My oldest son, Joey, became a CPA and is CEO of a national company. My beautiful daughter, Mary Pat, is certified in medical coding and cosmetology, and currently works in a managerial position at Lifetime. My youngest, Tony, graduated from Mercer Law School and is practicing law in Little Rock, Arkansas. (They got the genetics for intelligence from their mother.)

Throughout life our purpose is ever changing. It is a driving force in everyone’s life. It gives us direction and meaning to our existence. When you reach your latter years, it is extremely important to still have purpose. Purpose is being needed, being appreciated, being meaningful, and being loved. The purpose of this story is to ensure that we never lose the meaning and importance of the word… purpose.

To every one of my readers: I wish you a particularly important purpose every day!