What is it like to be recognized in public? What is it like to draw a crowd with people clamoring for autographs or pictures? How do you react when you visit a studio on behalf of your alma mater to shoot a philanthropic video, only to have them march some poor schlep they call the office champion out to play you in ping-pong? If you are Patrick Crayton of the Dallas Cowboys, you very courteously engage such schlep in two games and lose them both.

In playing the part of the poor schlep in this story, I have to say it really was a unique experience playing ping-pong with Patrick Crayton. What made it so unique for me personally was the fact that while the moment probably meant next to nothing to Patrick, I got a kick out of playing a game with someone famous. Not only someone famous, but someone I follow through sports, someone local. And let me add, while I did win both games, Patrick did exhibit some serious skill at the table. If he spent half an hour at lunch every day at the table like this poor schlep, I would have been in trouble, but this time I was lucky. Thank you to Patrick for the game. You have earned a new fan.

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The scene is so familiar. The nervous husband, or more often than not today, boyfriend, paces in nervous expectation of the result. The wife, or baby’s momma, is excited as she takes the test, but nervous as to how her significant other will react. It’s positive. Oh No! Oh Yeah! Oh Crap!

Hollywood loves to create a dramatic scene, although, a scene that’s based more on reality than fiction; a scene, I participated in this morning. A scene that I am proud to say was positive. It is so satisfying to do this the right way. To be married, in love with your wife, and ready to take the next step. I will admit it is a little scary, and at this point, hasn’t really sunk in, but, the outlook from today is good.

To do things the right way is never easy. There are always challenges and obstacles that get in the way. However, when you do things the right way, and accomplish your task, it is so satisfying. You just feel good. This is true in every aspect of life. In relationships, in your work, in everything you do, you are always setting an example for others. It’s easy to do what YOU want, but the feeling you get when you do what’s right can never be matched.

Although I am far from perfect, I am very happy and proud to have gotten it right this time.

I used to think the town where I was raised, though most assuredly small, actually resembled more of a larger city. The large metropolis of Temple, Texas, at least "felt" big. With Scott & White Hospital, a great selection of restaurants, and even a town mall, what more could big city life offer? Our 5A high school even won the state championship my freshman year. The point is, growing up in Temple I had the perception (although perhaps false) of growing up in a large city.

The misconceptions of the small town life I grew up around became glaringly obvious as I found myself surrounded by thousands of people preparing for the White Rock Marathon. Not ever having visited Times Square, I knew I was getting a taste of what that experience might entail. The buildings around me soared into the sky canvassed with huge video screens displaying scenes from the race being broadcast on network television. Thousands of people were crammed in between the buildings waiting in anticipation of the start of the race.

One of those thousands of people was my wife, who I was there to cheer on through the next 26 miles. That day can be characterized by one emotion…pride. I am so proud of my wife. She is amazing!

To find out more about the White Rock Marathon, click here.

We give to Church. We give to our University. We give to our Fraternity. We hope that these gifts will somehow have a positive impact in the world through the work of those organizations, but do we ever really see the results of those gifts?

How about this year, you make a gift that will change a life? How about this year, you support a local family under extreme financial strain? How about this year, you relieve the financial stress from Bobby Cook so that he can focus on fighting cancer.

Give what you are able, but make a gift today. Visit onemilliondollarman.com.