A Simple Man
/When you have children you always want them to be better then you and have just as much success as you have. Many of the people I have been surrounded in my life have been extremly successful.
I spend over 34 years on Wall Street, retired an then went to work with USA Lacrosse to continue my passion of impacting young people. That was 7 and 1/2 years ago.
But what is success. As you reflect on your life as you get older your lense on things tend to change. I have become I believe a better husband, father and coach because of my Children.
If not for my Bride Mary Jo, my son Gordon and Daughter Caitlin lord only knows where I would be.
Physically Gordon is not here but I speak with him everyday on multiple occasions and when I pray at night and in the mornings.
Gordon taught me so many things over the years and our connection to lacrosse and work is unmesurable. As Gordon and Caitlin got older I Iearned more from them than they did from me. Although I certainly love when my daughter and her husband Nicholas ask me for advice when we talk.
Gordon and his writing always made me think a little differently. His insight and how he researched topics to write about always made me feel so proud. I have received so many emails, phone calls, texts and social posts that I can’t keep count of them. People telling me how Gordon helped them or how is writings helped someone that they love and cherish. I spoke with a good friend of mine who is in the the mental health space a few weeks ago and she said Gordons writings are so inspirational and she uses them to help others. It warms my heart that he is still doing these things to help others even though he is not here.
So this is the second season I begin without my son. Gordon was a respected official as you know from my previous posts and I believe I am a respected Coach. It is very challenging not to have our conversations face to face or on the phone regarding a upcoming game or what transpired in a game we were involved in. Gordon was my walking/talking rule book and he always gave me insight into the game. And while I can’t have conversations about our games in person I still talk to Gordon to see what he thinks about what is going on in a game. As I begin this season I will try and be more caring and transformational as that is one of things Gordon taught me.
Gordon always broke things down in Simple terms and that is the essence of this post. To look at things in simple terms.
My favorite band is Lynyrd Skynyrd my favorite song is “Simple Man” written by Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington. The only music I really enjoy is Southern Rock, Motown and sixties music. I am sure my kids heard “Simple Man” hundreds of times on our trips as a family and I am glad one of them stuck with Gordon.
Gordon and I would talk about this song many times over our adult lifetime and he even wrote a blog post about it (check it out)
https://mentallyagile.com/blog/2018/12/28/be-a-simple-kind-of-man
Gordon helped me be a “Simple Man” and for that I am grateful.
Mama told me when I was young
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you
Some sunny day"
Oh, yeah
Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman, yeah, and you'll find love
And don't forget son there is someone up above
And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?
Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?
Oh, yes, I will
Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh, baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied
And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me son, if you can?
Baby, be a simple, be a simple man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple kind of man
Please consider donating to Gordon’s Mental Agility Foundation so we can continue to help people with their mental health. https://everloved.com/life-of/gordon-corsetti
