“Make each  
day your  
masterpiece.”  
John Wooden

When I reflect back on my life, I feel blessed to have vivid memories of dozens of wonderful experiences of enjoying breakfast, lunch, or dinner with friends or loved ones. Childhood memories include family dinners at the New Tivoli Restaurant in North Beach, The Spinnaker in Sausalito, the House of Prime Rib, and at Westlake Joe’s. At one of our New Tivoli dinners, my paternal grandmother put grated parmesan cheese into her coffee, believing that it was sugar. The sugar was in an identical container on the table. As kids, my siblings and I got a kick out of that.

I also have wonderful memories of family dinners at our home on 38th Avenue, at my maternal grandparents’ home in the outer Mission District in The City, and at my cousin Dan’s home in the San Carlos hills.

Of course, I have countless recollections of family meals shared with Kathy and our three boys, too — from simple meals at home to dining experiences at a variety of local restaurants. Most of these meals bring back wonderful memories.

There are three specific meals I recall, however, which were memorable for other reasons. If I were asked to prioritize them in order of significance, this would be my list:

#3 – It was our first night back to our home on Lincoln Street in Santa Clara after the birth of our first son, Tom, in May 1986. So that Kathy and I would not have to prepare a meal, our good friend, Cheryl Anido, prepared a dinner of chicken with chicken flavored rice. Kathy and I have always agreed that it was one of the best meals of our lives. Both the chicken and rice were incredibly flavorful, and to have someone so graciously prepare a meal for us on that special occasion was absolutely delightful and very much appreciated.

#2 – In the years before I met Kathy, I most always planned my vacation getaways for the first two weeks in August. For the most part, if I didn’t spend the time in the Bahamas, I would enjoy my two-week vacation at South Lake Tahoe. On the drive from San José to the lake, I occasionally stopped at Sierra College in Rocklin, where the San Francisco 49ers pre-season practices were taking place.

On one of those days, I had the opportunity to say hello to 49ers Defensive Coordinator Bill McPherson at the practice field. I had taught his son, Patrick, at Saint Christopher School in San José. Bill was a graduate of both Bellarmine College Prep and Santa Clara University. On this particular day, the coach invited me to join him for lunch. I graciously accepted, not realizing that I would be going into the cafeteria with the likes of Joe Montana, Dwight Clark, Ronnie Lott, and so many other 49er greats. I got my tray of food and followed Bill over to a table for four. I recognized the other two people sitting at that table, though they didn’t know me. One was Coach George Seifert. The other was former Oakland Raiders football coach and NFL announcer John Madden.

There we were, just the four of us, enjoying lunch and talking football. Needless to say, I had absolutely nothing to contribute to the conversation, but the coaches were quite hospitable in welcoming me to their table. I was aware that I was in the presence of football greatness.

#1 – By far, my most memorable experience at a meal took place in the summer of 1974. I was working at Bellarmine College Prep as the liaison between the school and groups renting the facilities, specifically the Bellarmine dormitory. One such group was the Wooden-Sharman Basketball Camp.

I woke up one morning and, as I did each day, entered the dining hall through the back door into the kitchen. Tom, the chef, would make whatever I wanted for breakfast that day, from pancakes or waffles to omelets with hash browns. On one particular morning, after getting the plate with my breakfast, I walked through the double doors from the kitchen into the dining hall. Normally, the place would be empty at that early hour of the morning. On this day, however, one gentleman was sitting alone at a table enjoying his breakfast. It was the legendary U.C.L.A. men’s basketball coach, John Wooden.

For a brief moment, I pondered whether I should join him or allow him his privacy. It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was the opportunity of a lifetime. I asked if I could join him, and he graciously welcomed me to his table.

For almost an hour, we talked mostly about basketball, but after a while, I was the beneficiary of Coach Wooden’s love for teaching. He introduced me to his Pyramid of Success, sharing a variety of life lessons that have influenced my life since that day. I realized at that moment that I was in the presence of an amazing human being, so I listened attentively to his words of wisdom.

I am grateful for all the positive experiences I have enjoyed with others while sharing meals, but that one unexpected breakfast with Coach Wooden will always hold a special place in my heart.