Conversations with My Father

The road to happiness is not a paved one. Life is full of promise and great sorrows but throughout it all there is a human desire to live with no regrets. The past, present and future will compile the story of a person's journey. How well the story will read is unknown however it is important to live and learn throughout the process.

Please join my father and me, along our journey in "Conversations with my Father Session Three".

1. Imagine this is the beginning of your memoirs. Can you write the opening paragraph?

D. Lester Morgan: Man comes face to face with crises pitting all his capabilities and resources against the brutal realities of the world. This attempt is history seen through my eyes. It is a portrayal of what I saw and thought and did. Inevitably, I have had to select and compress. It is put forward as honest as possible. I owe a deep debt to those that inspired me. At times it has been a painful transition but often a valuable experience nonetheless.

A.M. Morgan: As a young girl and much into my adulthood I have been fighting with myself in understanding and acknowledging my self worth. My sense of purpose has been tapping me on the shoulder for quite some time and I have finally embraced it. At this point in my life I have learned to accept who I am and once was. I am not afraid or ashamed to say I have made some mistakes. My journey is full of triumphs, setbacks and heartbreaks but there are some beautiful lessons in my life that I enjoy sharing with others.

2. Describe one of your biggest childhood dreams. Has it come true?

D. Lester Morgan: My childhood dream has always been that of a writer. Since I will be retiring soon; I plan on devoting all of my time in its pursuit. The dream was put on the back burner to support the family but the reward has been grand.

A.M. Morgan: We share the same affection for writing. Actually, we both are writers the dream is in becoming a published author. I also desire to become involved in the performing arts again. A few years ago I was in a friend's play and it was pure magic. I remembered just how much I love to perform and engage with the audience. The creative and performing arts are where I feel my individual light can shine the most.

3. What was your role in the military? How did being involved in the Vietnam war change your outlook on the world?

D. Lester Morgan: I performed communications duties. All to often nowadays, my mind flashes back to the battlefield, the insufferable heat, and the smell of dead bodies. Things are not the same when your childhood fantasies of being a combat soldier become reality. You realize that that all of the people of the world have a need to be free. There are no winners or losers in war. Being a veteran, I lick my wounds in isolated places and I am still disillusioned with America. The war in Iraq, the so-called war on terrorism, and America's posture toward other nations, I sense the repacking of duffle bags to be taken by more of America's children. For the sake of her sons and daughters not yet killed in war I hope they aren't but for some I know it is inevitable.

A.M. Morgan: I have many friends who have served and are still serving in the military. Many expressed to me how being in Iraq has forced them to question whether war is truly the answer to all of the world's problems. I cannot fathom seeing fatalities daily and being able to recover mentally from its impact. Several families have lost their loved ones; I sincerely hope this war was not fought in vain.

4. You have worked in several group homes for troubled youth. Most of the youth have trust issues and it's hard to maintain respect in relationships with them. How were you able to establish connections with these youth? What advice can you give someone interested in helping troubled youth?

D. Lester Morgan: You command respect by being an example for them to emulate. Young people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. They long for the basic necessity of love. I have never dealt with a child where I made him feel emasculated. If you make him feel bad, ensure that he doesn't go to bed that way. This is a profession that will make you laugh at times and also make you cry. The best advice that I can give anyone interested in this profession is not to prejudge and have an open mind.

A.M. Morgan: I mentored and was a substitute teacher in several inner city schools and the students always expressed to me that they just wanted someone in their lives to never give up on them. I actually learned more from the students about myself then I ever imagined. It helps when you are able to share your personal experiences and listen to them without immediate criticism. When you think about it we all have unhealed wounds of our past and just because someone is less fortunate than you doesn't mean their voice should be silenced.

5. There are failing public school systems around the country. Brown vs the Board of education was suppose to help diminish segregated school systems and create educational systems that were equal for all despite race. We were told that no child would be left behind. What needs to be done to tear down the educational barriers that currently exist?

D. Lester Morgan: No child left behind is good in theory. However, white flight as well as black flight from the inner cities have left public schools in shambles. Along with them went government dollars and resources. Now we have the charter school concept that only accepts high performing students. This leaves public schools with kids from the lower economic spectrum. I think that with the equal amounts of funding and qualified teachers any child can learn. I recommend that everyone should read, "The Strange Career of Jim Crow." It explains what has taken place with education in America.

A.M. Morgan: I was amazed the first time I walked into a classroom as a substitute teacher and all the students didn't have textbooks of their own. Classrooms are overcrowded and unfortunately there are not enough teachers. Teachers are underpaid and underappreciated. No matter who you are a teacher or mentor has impacted your life, so why is it that they are not paid well. The value system in America is tilted on its axis where immediate gratification is glorified more than the value of an education.

6. Louisiana is under fire in the news and media. Historically, the state has always had issues with race matters, questionable politics and corruption in government. Despite the apparent issues that exist in the Pelican State what seems to be the biggest misconception in the media?

D. Lester Morgan: The biggest misconception is that the politicians are corrupt and the people are illiterate. Louisiana has some of the best institutions of higher education in America. Recovery from Hurricane has been slow because Louisiana has a Democratic governor who happens to be female and that has not played well in Washington and the Bush administration. Race and perception of race has also been a factor. Hurricane Katrina did not discriminate because of race or economic status. This disaster cannot be compared with any in history. With the newly elected Republican governor, recovery will take place and they will get all of the credit.

A.M. Morgan: I remember you use to recite the quote of Machiavelli from the Prince that says, "Any time you place a man into power you only ruin yourself, because it is by design or force both of which are subject to the person you have placed into power". Louisiana has had trouble with the balance of power for quite some time but it's just not one state's problem. I remember seeing a broadcast on CNN calling New Orleans murder city USA and I felt immediate sadness. Violent crimes and homicides are the plaguing the streets of many US cities. Louisiana has been under a microscope since Hurricane Katrina and as we watch the Band-Aids falls off to expose unresolved problems it should be a wakeup call to all cities in America.

7. There are countless books on how to save and build financial wealth. It seems simple pay yourself first approximately 10 percent of your income to be exact. What have you learned over the years about investing and building wealth?

D. Lester Morgan: I have learned that anyone can become rich but wealth is something that you pass from one generation to another. Teach your children how money works and not look for instant gratification. The pay yourself philosophy is exact. Start with 10% but increase as often as possible. Live within your means and utilize dollar costs averaging. Also, let the rule of 72 work for you. Beware of get rich quick schemes.

A.M. Morgan: A penny saved is a penny earned. I had to change my thinking from believing I didn't enough money to save. Once you start saving and making a few lifestyles changes you will be amazed of how much you will accrue over time.

8. If you could talk to anyone in history who would it be and what would you ask or say to them?

D. Lester Morgan: It definitely would be Nelson Mandela. To be a lawyer fighting for justice and to be incarcerated for all of those years for trumped up charges is beyond the imagination. I would like to ask him how he maintained his dignity and sanity and not be angry upon his release. It takes an extra ordinary man.

A.M. Morgan: It would be your father, Joseph Morgan. He is the grandfather that I never known because he passed away and I was too young to remember him. I would ask him to share stories about his life. I have heard some stories about him but nothing compares to hearing or reading his own words. I am enjoying these sessions we are having with each other because it is creating a history of our relationship with each other.

9. Any last words of wisdom to share?

D. Lester Morgan: Live life and love life. Find a cause greater than yourself to fight for.

A.M. Morgan: To find out who you are you cannot ignore your past or fight with the present. The future can only be bright once you learn to accept and embrace all the places that you have been.

Thank you for stopping by and reading Session Three of "Conversations with my Father". Your comments are greatly appreciated