On this sad occasion, I remember his legacy in one regard that would be so useful today if it were more widespread.

He was careful in his communications. Every comment, every word was carefully considered and intentional. He never made remarks off the cuff or casually. As a result, he never uttered any word he regretted. I had to apologize for things I said, but he never did.

In today’s news, you see people backtracking and “clarifying” their comments because their comments are producing consequences they did not intend and now regret. Better to never utter these words to begin with.

This trait served him well. He was not born with it. He developed it. He intentionally developed it. It was a SKILL, not a talent.

Skills are intentionally developed. When something is a skill, that means we all can develop it. This is not the province of highly talented and gifted individuals, which is usually how we absolve ourselves of the responsibility to develop ourselves.

Skills require practice, discipline, and intention. We are all capable of developing skills.

This skill is worth developing by all of us.