Filling the roles of U.S. Navy Veteran, Police Officer, Retired County Sheriff, Behavioral Health Liaison, and Municipal Mayor were easy for a young man motivated by success and accomplishment. With each new battle faced, opponent overcome, and adventure partaken in, learning resulted. Stepping into the role of parent proved not only more challenging but significantly more rewarding. Through each changed diaper, midnight feeding, scraped knee, and painted nail, Richard found that his purpose in life had finally been realized. Finding lasting fulfillment through this adventure, we call life, the role of father truly made the journey grander because of the inclusion of tiny feet.
The father of three, Richard relays his experiences of being a single parent, co-parent, and leader, in the Ozark region, providing a unique perspective into a wide array of issues families face in our modern times. Through each adventure, we find life lessons which uncover a wealth of possibilities. Each human experiences potentially life altering, or enhancing, events which many times go un-realized because of a wide array of reasons. If realized, these events can be a guide for fulfillment and success. This simple journey, "Raising Ozark" is an expression of one man's journey of learning how to begin the process of recognizing and applying those events in our lives, in hopes that true joy, understanding, and happiness will result.
Sit back, grab some refreshments, and embark upon this journey with me as we draw wisdom from one of the most challenging yet rewarding occupations there is... being a parent.
Author Biography:
Retired Sheriff, Richard Stephens has spent a lifetime serving the people of the communities he lives and works within. Not known for shying away from challenges, Richard has filled numerous roles throughout his thirty-year career in Law Enforcement including Detentions Officer, Shift Supervisor, Patrol, Investigations, Swat commander, Training. Mayor, Program Director, County Sheriff, Consultant, Academy Instructor, and Liaison. Richard obtained his master's degree in management and leadership in 2012 from Liberty University out of Lynchburg Virginia and has lead teams of men and woman through a wide variety of incidents including: The Columbine High School Shooting aftermath, Multiple natural disasters including floods, Ice storms, and tornados. Additionally, Richard, the father of three, has learned to view his experiences as a parent, and the lessons learned as steppingstones to overcoming obstacles and fully reaping the rewards of life.
