My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother

Host: The room feels warm, with the soft light from a nearby lamp casting a gentle glow. Jack sits back in his chair, his hands resting loosely in his lap, reflecting on the words of Harmon Killebrew: "My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, 'You're tearing up the grass'; 'We're not raising grass,' Dad would reply. 'We're raising boys.'" Jeeny, sitting across from him, watches the thoughtful expression on his face, sensing that the quote has stirred something deeper in him.

Jack: (with a soft smile, his voice thoughtful) "You know, this quote really strikes me. 'We're not raising grass, we're raising boys.' It’s such a powerful reminder of what truly matters. So often, we get caught up in the small, superficial details—like the grass being ruined—but the bigger picture, as Killebrew’s father points out, is about raising people, about investing in their growth and development, even if it means making a mess along the way."

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice gentle) "Exactly. It’s about prioritizing what’s important—the relationships, the lessons, the memories—over the things that might seem perfect on the surface, like a well-kept lawn. The father’s response is a beautiful reminder that sometimes we need to focus on what really matters, and that’s nurturing and helping children grow, not worrying about maintaining a pristine, controlled environment."

Jack: (pausing, his voice reflective) "It also makes me think about how often we let minor things take up too much of our attention. We worry about appearances, about keeping everything neat and orderly, when sometimes it’s the chaos, the mess, that teaches the most valuable lessons. In the end, the father’s attitude shows that it’s not about perfection—it’s about the experience and the memories you create along the way."

Jeeny: (smiling softly) "Right. And it’s also a reminder that life doesn’t need to be perfectly controlled or organized. Sometimes the best moments come from those unplanned, messy times when you just let things unfold. It’s about living in the moment, engaging with each other, and creating bonds, rather than worrying about what’s left behind."

Host: The quiet in the room deepens, and Jack looks out the window, his expression softening as he reflects on the weight of the quote. Jeeny, her eyes warm, senses the deeper shift in the conversation—a realization that sometimes, it’s the things that seem unimportant or messy that truly matter.

Jack: (with a small chuckle, his voice more gentle) "I guess we could all take a lesson from that. In life, we often focus so much on keeping things neat, but the real value comes from the moments we let go, the moments when we’re willing to make a mess and be present in the experience. Maybe it’s not about creating a perfect world, but about allowing the space for growth, for connection, and for memory-making."

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice softer) "Yes, and sometimes the mess is where the real living happens. It’s the messiness of growing up, learning, and discovering that shapes us, not the perfectly manicured moments. What Killebrew’s father is saying is that raising boys—or children—isn’t about keeping things neat and tidy, it’s about nurturing the things that matter most: their growth, their joy, and their connection to the world around them."

Host: The room feels still now, the weight of their conversation lingering. Jack and Jeeny sit in quiet recognition that life’s true value isn’t in perfection or control, but in the experiences, memories, and relationships we build along the way. The evening light outside has dimmed, but the warmth of their thoughts about raising children, about growth, and about living fully remains.