A Beacon of Light

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  • My name is Kevin Carroll. I was born and raised in San Francisco, California, where I attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory. I am a graduate of both Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco. Following a 40-year career in teaching and pastoral ministry, I launched a new career as a writer and speaker.

    I live in San José, California. My wife, Kathy, and I have three adult sons and five precious grandchildren. I have much for which to be grateful.

    I can be reached via email at kmc43sjc@gmail.com

    My books are available for purchase online from Amazon. I also have copies of some of these titles at my home for those who would like to buy them directly from me.

    A Moment’s Pause for Gratitude  (2017)

    Cherries in the Summer  (2021)

    The Ambassador of 38th Avenue  (2022)

    Dad: 12 Questions…  (2023)

    A Focus on Gratitude  (2024)

    Through the Lens of Gratitude  (2024)

    A Bahamian Odyssey (2026)

  • The Challenge is Real

    “A friend may be waiting
    behind a stranger’s face.” 
    Maya Angelou

    It was so easy when I was younger. In my early childhood, I could walk up to another young person in the sandbox at the park and innocently ask, “Can I play with you?” It was a simple question, and the intention of the question was quite clear. That same question today, if posed to someone my age in a social setting, might result in a slap across the face.

    During my high school years, it was fairly easy to strike up a conversation with another high school age student by asking where they attend school or where they went for elementary school. This could lead to a conversation about possible mutual friends and interests.

    In my college years, the first conversation with someone new might involved the double-question: “Where are you from? What’s your major?” They were fairly safe, generic questions which had the potential to get the ball rolling. 

    When I happen to meet someone who tells me they’re from San Francisco, there’s a tried and true script which must be followed. The first question is “Where’d you go to school?” If they are truly from San Francisco, they instinctively know you’re asking about the high school they attended. That simple introductory question usually opens the door to a number of follow-up questions. “What year did you graduate? Did you know…(fill in the blank with someone’s name)?” These three questions should be more than sufficient to begin an engaging conversation about common friends and experiences. 

    In fifteen days, I’ll celebrate my 70th birthday. Opportunities to meet new friends don’t come up quite as often as they used to. Of course, it’s possible to begin a friendship with a simple “Hello,” but even this could be met with suspicion. So it’s an absolute delight when I take the risk to greet someone and the response is warm and hospitable. Meeting new friends shouldn’t be such a challenge, and yet it can be. 

    I think it might be helpful to remind ourselves that we’re all part of the human family, and therefore we are all connected. I am reminded of this interconnectedness when I meet someone new. Given the demographics of Silicon Valley, meeting new people invites me to recognize the beauty in the diversity of the people I meet. Whether the person is from upstate New York, downtown Campbell, or somewhere in Africa, every person I meet has a unique story to tell. I’m grateful and honored when others trust me with their stories. I always take the time to listen attentively… and to learn.

    The truth is, we just never know how meeting someone new might change the course of our life. While attending a celebration in Kingston, Jamaica in late July 1971, I met many people I did not know. Three years later, one of those individuals contacted me and offered me a job teaching in a high school in the Bahamas. That job led to my decision to devote my life to teaching here in California. 

    The keys to unlocking the incredible potential of meeting new people are an open heart and an open mind. These two gifts invite and encourage people to share their stories and the things about which they are passionate. When we happen to connect with someone who has a shared passion, great things can happen.

    The more we open ourselves up to meeting new people, the more opportunities seem to come our way. My motivation for meeting new people isn’t necessarily related to potential opportunities, yet when I embrace the unknown of meeting someone new, I’ve learned that magic can happen. There is a vulnerability to opening ourselves up to meeting a person we do not know, but the benefits of doing so far outweigh the risks.  

  • Small Town Charm

    “Music washes away
    from the soul the dust
    of everyday life.” 
    Berthold Auerbach

    The City of Campbell, California is alive and well. Tucked away in a cozy corner of the Santa Clara Valley, it provides a respite from the hectic pace of what is now commonly referred to as Silicon Valley. Once known for its countless acres of orchards, Campbell is now a thriving community of homes, parks, and business which maintains its small town charm.

    Downtown Campbell offers several blocks of excellent restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, small businesses, and my favorite ice cream shop in the South Bay — the Campbell Creamery. Evenings in downtown Campbell often include live performances by a number of local musical artists. 

    This weekend, downtown Campbell is the site of the 2024 Boogie Music Festival. I spent a few hours there yesterday enjoying the sights and sounds of the annual event. I especially enjoyed the music of Wandering Acoustics, a local band that performs in downtown Campbell and around the South Bay quite often. I’ll be back at the festival this morning as a volunteer, assisting with ticket sales for those of legal drinking age who would like to enjoy beer or wine throughout the day. 

    Theatrical producer David Binder had this to say about community festivals: “Festivals promote diversity, they bring neighbors into dialogue, they increase creativity, they offer opportunities for civic pride, they improve our general psychological well-being. In short, they make cities better places to live.”

    The City of Campbell’s annual Boogie Music Festival accomplishes all these things. A quick look around during the event reveals that it is a multi-generational, multi-cultural activity which features dozens of vendor booths with artists of all types selling their goods. On several occasions yesterday, I found myself engaged in pleasant conversations with others who were there to enjoy the festivities of the day. This two-day event is, without a doubt, a tremendous source of civic pride. As for improving one’s psychological well-being,… well, the festival offers music representing a variety of genres, as well as food reflective of the diversity of the community. Oh, and as I’ve mentioned, downtown Campbell is home to the Campbell Creamery.

    Food, music, and ice cream. What more is needed for an ideal spring weekend gathering? 

  • Just Begin

    “If a story is in you,
    it has to come out.” 
    William Faulkner

    I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a number of people recently who have written manuscripts, or who plan to write something, and have questions about how to get their work published. I’ve met even more people, however, who have mentioned that they have a desire to write either their life story or a book about some of their life experiences, but who are convinced that they don’t possess the skill to do so. I encourage them all to just write. One cannot edit a blank page. One can, however, put one’s thoughts down on paper. One can, to the best of their ability, provide specific details about some of the unique situations and people they’ve encountered along their life journey. For them, the Nike slogan is perfect: Just do it!

    The most challenging stage of any writing endeavor is getting started. Where do we begin? What do we say about ourselves? What do we write about other people? How much detail should we provide to make our story understandable, believable, interesting? These are all valid questions which can be answered later in the writing process. The important thing is to just get started. The first draft doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to get written.

    I believe that everyone has a story to tell. Everyone has had numerous life experiences which have provided them with unique wisdom and perspective which could be beneficial to others. Sadly, many believe that they lack such experience and perspective on life. They discount their own experiences as being ordinary — too ordinary to write about. Who would want to read my story?

    I get it. I felt the same way. When I started blogging on the topic of gratitude back in December 2006, the possibility of publishing my work was not on my radar. Who was I? What did I have to say which might be of interest to others? It’s easy for us to discredit our lives as being ordinary or mundane. 

    Everyone has the opportunity to ask themselves a few motivating questions: What are some of the highlights of my life? What are some of the experience through which I’ve learned important life lessons? What unique experiences do I have to share with others? Who are some of the most influential people in my life? How have these experiences and individuals contributed to shaping me into the person I am today? How did these people and experiences affect my life journey? What have I learned along the way which was of value to me and might be of value to others, as well?

    We don’t need exceptional writing skills to share our stories. What is needed is determination, courage, and a strong desire to make a positive difference in the lives of other people. Proofreaders and editors, whether they be professional or simply proficient, can help a person put their thoughts, ideas, memories, and perspectives into coherent form. The ease and affordability of self-publishing enables anyone to create a manuscript which might make a significant impact on the life of a reader.

    A story is in you. Are you ready to share it?  

  • Childhood Memories

    “What one loves
    in childhood
    stays in their heart
    forever.” 
    Mary Jo Putney

    A local author, Ann Lamott, has created a new website to encourage writers to write. She sends out writing prompts for those who need a bit of guidance to get them started. Normally, I’m not in need of such urging. I encounter ideas for my blog posts pretty much every day. Today, however, I’m responding to the prompt I received from Ann yesterday, as it brought back vivid memories of my childhood. The prompt was: Describe a place from your childhood that holds significant memories for you.

    It didn’t take much thought for me to identify that place for me. It was a house in the Noe Valley area of San Francisco — the home of my mother’s uncle and aunt. I knew them as Uncle P.D. (for Patrick Daniel) and Auntie Mary. P.D. was my maternal grandmother’s brother. Their home on 26th Street was the venue for many large family gatherings.

    My first memory of this house is of sitting at the kitchen table enjoying my Auntie Mary’s Irish soda bread and tea. This was always a special time, although P.D. was often disappointed that I would never join him for a shot or two of Irish whiskey.

    Many larger family gatherings were held at this home. In the hours before dinner, the women would gather in the kitchen, while the men would hang out on the small back porch, which was well-stocked with a variety of adult beverages. A number of children, including my siblings and cousins, would move around from what I remember as the TV room, adjacent to the dining room, to the back yard, which featured a strip of grass bordered on three sides by flowering plants. These were special times which enabled me to enjoy the company of my cousins Kathleen, Maureen, and Pat Twomey, John and Debbie Young, Pat, John, and Maria Healy, and the Kelly family — Marie, Lori, Jim, Nancy, Dan, and Theresa. The house wasn’t big, but there was always enough room for everyone.

    After dinner, we would gather in the living room/dining room area for a variety of traditional family activities. There would be a bit of group singing of a few Irish songs, then Uncle P.D. would recite the poem “I’m the Daddy of a Nun,” much to everyone’s delight. My Uncle Dan Healy, my Godfather, would play his bagpipes for a while, then my father would sing “Danny Boy.” After that, the women would move the large table out of the way so that they could do some Irish dancing on the hardwood floor in the dining room. That was always a treat to watch.

    P.D. and Mary were the epitome of hospitality. Everyone knew that they were welcome in P.D. and Mary’s home any time of day or night. It was in this home, more so than anywhere else, that I experienced the love and acceptance offered by my extended family. Definitely a source of gratitude in my life.

  • Brendan’s Gift

    “A plant is
    the most patient
    and forgiving teacher.” 
    Srikumar Rao

    When I first met Kathy back in August 1984, to welcome me to my new job at Saint Lawrence Parish in Santa Clara, she gave me a beautiful plant for my office. It was a nice addition to what was otherwise a fairly bland workspace. For the first few months, the plant was situated on my desk. I enjoyed it immensely, as it was a constant reminder of Kathy’s gracious hospitality. Sadly, it struggled to survive, as there was insufficient sunlight in the room. My secretary at that time recommended that we move the plant into her office, adjacent to mine. Two of her four walls were floor-to-ceiling glass, one with a western exposure. The afternoon sun in that location was plentiful. The plant thrived for ten years.

    When my responsibilities at Saint Lawrence changed in 1994, I moved out of that office and into one of the classrooms of the parish high school where I worked for the next 21 years. I brought the plant with me. For a while, it seemed to be doing well in its new environment, but as time went on, it began to show signs of distress. Hoping to give it new life, I brought the plant home. The lack of sufficient sunlight there, combined with my own lack of attentiveness, resulted in the plant experiencing a slow death. Nurturing plants was definitely not a gift with which I was blessed.

    A little more than a year ago, our youngest son, Brendan, asked if it might be possible for him to move back home for a while. He had been living in a rental house in Santa Clara with two friends, but the landlord informed them that the rent would be increasing sharply, so all three sought alternative living situations. Kathy and I were happy to welcome Brendan back into our home.

    Kathy and I enjoy and appreciate Brendan’s presence. One of the perks of having him living here is that we get to enjoy the beauty of the various plants Brendan is growing in and around our home. Some are in his room, while others are strategically placed in the living room, the dining room, the guest bathroom, our front patio, and in various spots around the perimeter of our home. He meticulously cares for these plants and, unlike me, seems to know exactly what each type of plant needs to flourish. Our home environment is much improved thanks to Brendan’s gift of growing plants.

    As I’ve mentioned so many times previously in my writing, I am tremendously grateful for this sacred space we call home. We’ve lived here for almost 38 years. This residence, and the community in which it is located, has served us well. The addition of Brendan’s plants, and Brendan’s presence himself, has created an even more welcoming, nurturing environment for Kathy and me to live… and thrive.

    American horticulturist, Liberty Hyde Bailey, pointed out, “A garden requires patient labor and attention. Plants to not grow merely to satisfy ambitions or to fulfill good intentions. They thrive because someone expended effort on them.” This is exactly what Brendan has done.

    More than two thousand years ago, the Roman philosopher, Marcus Tullius Cicero, stated, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” Gratefully, my home has been blessed with both.

  • Genuine Kindness

    “Every saint has a past
    and every sinner
    has a future.” 
    Oscar Wilde

    Stephanie’s story was heartbreaking. She spoke of the violence in her home during her formative years. She described the dangers of the constant gang activity in the neighborhood in which her family home was located, which included the death of her younger brother. She shared her feelings of hopelessness for a better future for herself, and later for her children. She disclosed some of the desperate measures she had taken in an attempt to survive in her East Los Angeles environment. Then her tone changed, significantly, as she recounted her experience at Homeboy Industries, the largest and most successful gang intervention program in the world.

    I had the pleasure and privilege of taking a tour of the Homeboy facility last Wednesday. I was overwhelmed with the warm hospitality and genuine kindness offered by dozens of people I met, many of whom were graduates of the Homeboy program. My tour guide was Stephanie.   

    Stephanie’s story is not unusual. Those who work with the clients at Homeboy have heard thousands of similar stories from women and men with a desire and commitment to improve their lives. The mission of Homeboy Industries is to provide hope, training, and support to formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated men and women, allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of the community.

    Homeboy Industries provides an 18-month reentry program which is offered to 400 men and women each year. Founded by Father Greg Boyle, S.J. in 1988, the organization’s motto is “Nothing stops a bullet like a job.” Despite the odds, Fr. Greg has earned the trust and respect of rival gangs in the Los Angeles area. His organization offers gang members a viable alternative to the hopelessness of the gang lifestyle. Homeboy services include case management, legal assistance, education, mental health services, substance abuse and anger management classes, parenting workshops, tattoo removal, and much more. 

    Another catch phrase at Homeboy Industries is “Jobs, not Jail.” Upon completion of the 18-month reentry program, a variety of job opportunities are made available to graduates including, but not limited to, the Homeboy Bakery, the Homegirl Café, Homeboy Silkscreening, Homegirl Catering, Homeboy Electronics Recycling, the Homeboy Farmers Market, and https://shophomeboy.com/.

    Those with an affiliation with gangs are not the only individuals struggling to cope with the myriad challenges of living in the world today. As we go about our daily routines, we may find ourselves standing next to someone who is doing their best not to fall apart. It may be a family member, a coworker, a neighbor, an employee in a store or restaurant, or another customer sitting in a local coffee shop. We just never know, so it’s imperative that whatever we do each day, we do it with kindness in our heart. The kindness we offer someone might be just what they need to keep it all together for one more day.

    As I walked through the various areas of the Homeboy Industries facility, I encountered nothing but kindness and gratitude every step of the way. I felt more welcome by the homeboys and homegirls there than I have ever felt at a local parish church. This incredible experience motivates me to share a message penned by author Lisa Currie, who wrote, “You may not always see the results of your kindness, but every bit of positive energy you contribute to the world makes it a better place for us all.”  

  • Mother’s Day

    “If I know what love is,
    it is because of you.” 
    Hermann Hesse

    In our home this morning, we will celebrate Mother’s Day. Our three boys and their families will be here for a feast of breakfast burritos from La Victoria Taqueria in San José. There will be a dozen of us altogether. I’m fairly certain that no one will walk away hungry.

    Kathy most certainly deserves to be recognized and appreciated on Mother’s Day. She has been, and continues to be, an amazing mother to our three boys. She is also a loving, nurturing grandma (or “Mama”) to our five grandchildren. The love Kathy has and shares with our sons and grandkids is reflective of the unconditional love God has for us. 

    For me, today has a bit of a different focus. I’m grateful that Kathy has embraced her role as “Mom” and “Mama” to the next two generations, but she is not MY mother. Even though my mother has been gone for more than a year now, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everything she did for me throughout my lifetime. Mom’s love, too, was unconditional. There were a number of times when she might have been disappointed by something I said, did, or failed to do, yet she never wavered in her love for me. Her love was not dependent upon my actions. It was just there — always. A sacramental experience, for sure.

    The way Mom loved my siblings and me is a perfect example of my favorite definition of “love,” which is: “to seek the highest good for the other person.” Mom committed herself to doing this until the day she died. She was kind, generous, understanding, supportive, and courageous. She taught me how to be aware of the needs of others. She taught me how to treat people with respect and dignity. She taught me the importance of punctuality, self-reliance, honesty, hard work, and self-care. She taught me how to express myself clearly in both written and spoken forms. When it comes right down to it, Mom was not only my first teacher, but also my best.

    So as we gather today as a family to celebrate Kathy’s ministry of motherhood, I do so with fond, grateful memories of my own Mom, as well. 

  • Life is Good

    “My favorite place
    to vacation
    is anyplace
    by the ocean.” 
    Nina Arianda

    It’s been a brief getaway, and now it’s ending. I’m sitting at a small table in Los Angeles International Airport waiting to board my flight back to San José. The duration of this visit was ideal — four days. Any shorter would have been insufficient. Anything longer would have been too much. I’m looking forward to getting home, celebrating Mother’s Day, and returning to my daily routine.

    My brother, Tom, was a gracious host. I was able to stay in a guest room at Loyola-Marymount University, where Tom lives and works. His fellow Jesuits were equally hospitable, each welcoming me warmly and engaging in casual conversation at various times. The weather could have been better. It’s been cooler than usual for May in LA, with a brisk wind that made it feel even colder, but it was good weather for walking — and we did a lot of walking.

    I got to see much of the Los Angeles metro area these past few days, including Santa Monica Pier, Will Rogers State Park, Homeboy Industries (with lunch at the Homegirl Café), Union Station, and the Los Angeles Cathedral in downtown LA. Tom and I also enjoyed a pleasant walk along the promenade along Hermosa Beach, about ten miles south of the LMU campus. The white sand and ocean air made for a pleasant experience.

    From the Jesuit Community residence at Loyola-Marymount, it’s possible to see the Pacific Ocean, in the general direction of Santa Monica. While the visibility wasn’t ideal this week, just being near the ocean was enough to nourish my soul. Today, as I prepare to fly home, I feel both incredibly relaxed and energized. Oh,… and yes, grateful.

    As summer approaches, I am hoping to get to the water, in both Santa Cruz and San Francisco, on a more regular basis. There’s definitely something special about time spent near the ocean.

    On a final note,… I was reminded, yet again, that it is a small world. Sitting here at LAX I met a young woman who attended Holy Family School in San José, Presentation High School (2011), Loyola-Marymount University, and Santa Clara University Law School. Not surprisingly, we knew several people in common. She’s flying home to the South Bay for Mother’s Day.

    Life is good. 

  • Wanna Get Away?

    “One’s destination
    is never a place,
    but a new way
    of seeing things.” 
    Henry Miller

    The Southwest Airlines “Wanna get away?” marketing campaign, which ran from 1998 to 2008, was brilliant. A woman in an airport had a problem with her contact lens, so she blindly stumbled into the rest room to use the mirror to help her resolve the situation. Only then did she realize that she was in the men’s restroom. “Wanna get away?”

    A military leader, during a crisis situation, was required to divulge his secret passcode to his colleagues to prevent a global disaster. With reservation, and a bit of embarrassment, he spelled out “ihatemyjob1.” One of his subordinates, shocked by what he had just heard, looked at officer and verified the password. “I hate my job one?” [Pause] “Wanna get away?” 

    A number of different scenarios were used to create the same type of awkward dilemma, causing the main characters to wish they could get away… immediately.  The commercials were quite entertaining, and, apparently, very effective.

    I am not currently experiencing an awkward dilemma. I’m not trying to escape from anyone or anything. There is no particular place I need to be this week, and nothing urgent that I need to do, but I have the opportunity to get away for a few days. So this morning, I’ll hop on a Southwest flight to Los Angeles for a visit with my brother, Tom, and a few days of rest and relaxation. Some might think it strange that I would be flying solo on this adventure, but as Thomas Jefferson once said, “I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more.”

    There are times when taking a short vacation is a form of self-care, too. This is one of those times. I’m convinced that self-care is not selfish. Rather, it is an essential component of our overall physical and mental well-being. In addition to spending time with my brother, these few days away will give me the opportunity to do some reading, walking, a bit of thinking, and, if inspired to do so, some writing. I do not intend for it to be a working vacation. I’m simply giving myself the gift of a few days away from the responsibilities of daily life and the opportunity to spend some time with Tom. I have no set agenda for these few days. This, in itself, is a gift.

    I’ll be in the air and well on my way before 8:00 this morning. The change of scenery will be nice, as will the weather this week in Southern California. When I arrive, I’ll catch an Uber ride to Loyola-Marymount University, where Tom lives and works. Then I’ll be ready to take a deep breath of the ocean air and make the most of my time in Los Angeles.

    Wanna get away? I sure do.

  • New Bookstore

    “A town isn’t a town
    without a bookstore.” 
    Neil Gaiman

    The Town of Los Gatos, California may once again legitimately call itself, by Neil Gaiman’s definition, a town. After years of small, independent bookstores in Los Gatos closing, succumbing to the popularity and convenience of giant online booksellers, the doors have opened to a new, locally-owned, independent bookstore in the charming downtown area. Beyond Text Bookstore celebrates its grand opening today from 10 AM to 6 PM.  

    I spoke with Tanya, the owner, yesterday. To say that she is excited about today’s event would be an understatement. For Tanya, opening a brick and mortar bookstore is a dream come true. Real books in a real bookstore for real readers to peruse, and hopefully purchase. The store is small, but the selection is impressive. Of course, I might be a bit biased. My newest book, Through the Lens of Gratitude, is one of the many books available at Beyond Text.

    I am quite pleased with the placement of my book in the store. Through the Lens… shares a shelf with James Clear’s New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits. And it sits on the shelf directly above another New York Times bestseller, How to Know a Person, by David Brooks. Copies of both of these books have been in the “to be read” collection on my home office desk for quite some time. I have no illusions that my book will become a New York Times bestseller, but it’s nice to know that I’m in good company at Beyond Text Bookstore.

    How important is a local bookstore? British author, David Almond, wrote, “A good bookshop is not just about selling books from shelves, but reaching out into the world and making a difference.” This is precisely what Tanya hopes to accomplish through her new venture at Beyond Text.

    Robert Frost once said, “The first thing I do in any town I come to is ask if it has a bookstore.” The legendary poet would be pleased to know that, once again, the answer in Los Gatos is “Yes!”

    Beyond Text Bookstore is located at 318 N. Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Los Gatos. The business is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM, and closed on Mondays. If you live in the South Bay, or if you’ll be visiting the Santa Clara Valley in the near future, I invite and encourage you to visit downtown Los Gatos. Stop by the bookstore, say hello to Tanya, peruse the selection of books, then enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at one of the many local eateries. The Town of Los Gatos has one of the most appealing downtowns in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. And now, once again, it has a bookstore!