The Dragons Beside Me

History is filled with great women both remembered and forgotten. The first woman history remembered for me was Joan of Arc. She came alive from the pages of my history textbook in elementary school. A warrior braver than any superhero. But that was only the beginning. Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks floored me with the amount of courage they displayed. Susan B. Anthony and Amelia Earhart showed me how much you can accomplish when society tells you, you can't. Sylvia Plath and Maya Angelou taught me how much meaning words can carry. Harper Lee's book To Kill a Mockingbird inspired me so much that I named my youngest daughter, Addilynn Harper Mcghee.

But this article isn't about the women who have inspired me from the annals of history. The Dragons Beside Me, for which this article is entitled, are the women who inspire me every day with everything they do. Who amaze me on an endless basis with their strength, courage, intellect, wisdom, ambition, humor, empathy, understanding, and love. Who have meant more to me than I could ever express. Those women are my wife, my daughters, and my mom.

My wife Jessica and I fell in love after we had both been through divorces that left deep scars. In those early months, I can't tell you how many times I marveled at her strength. Through all the stresses we faced, she never wavered in her desire to be with me. Instead of saying, this is too much and walking away, she walked hand in hand with me as we became a blended family. From her, I've learned more than I could ever write down. She is the gift I know I don't deserve and the second chance I'm grateful life gave me.

My amazing wife is the person who above all challenges me and inspires me every day. The teammate I've always wanted and the partner I've always needed. I could pick out so many things about Jessica that make her great, but for this, I will choose only one. Watching her as a professional woman succeed in a world catered to men. I’ve been there when she was passed over for men who were performing at lower levels. Listened to her frustration when men received credit for her work. Supported her when she refused to let any of it stop her. Understood when she took on extra work and went in on her days off just to be seen. And I’ve celebrated the success she has achieved in the face of it all.

My daughters, my beautiful rays of light. Nothing in the world sounds better than their laughter echoing in our kitchen. They inspire me every day with how big their dreams are. I stand back in awe of how much they have already achieved. I am so excited to watch the next years and decades to see how far they will go. They are tough, unafraid, brilliant young women, I couldn't be more proud of.

Each one of their smiles warms my heart every time they give them. Watching them grow has been something I have and will always cherish. I love every part of every aspect of our girls. Especially how unique they are. Reagan our overachiever. Samantha our musician. Addi our big personality. I couldn't ask for three better young trailblazers to be a father and stepfather too.

My mom Gloria is my hero. I have always worn the title of a momma's boy proudly. How could I be anything but? Sorry Dad, but you weren't around, and you never offered anything close to the example I needed growing up. All of my good attributes can be traced back to the single mother who raised me. Who I watched work a full-time job while she went to school at night. Who was tougher than Clint Eastwood when two teenage boys challenged her. The mom who taught me how important goals were.

I could never thank my mom enough for the things she has given me. The strength to survive anything. The determination to never give up on my dreams. The character to do what's right because it's the right thing to do. My work ethic, my morals. She truly made me the man I am. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention her favorite standard, CAYG clean as you go. I still can't cook dinner without leaving a clean kitchen behind when the meal is done.

Saturday mornings with my mom blasting Crystal Gale as we cleaned the house are some of my favorite childhood memories and I've carried on the tradition. My kids know the stereo comes on Saturday mornings, not the TV.

And, when anyone asks who inspired me the most growing up, my answer is always MOM.