The admonition to talk, read, and sing to one’s kids seems beyond trite and, even somewhat annoying when heard in the syrupy public service commercials on late-night TV. Still, a recent visit with Bob Gold was a reminder of the importance of the bonds created by interacting this way and how it aids both in the development of the child and lays the foundation for a strong family unit.
As background, Bob Gold is widely heralded in the telecommunications and tech industries as a PR-maestro, most recently honored with the 2019 Communications Professional of the Year at the 55th Annual Prism Awards. As he says in the above interview, he is a storyteller at heart. So, it makes sense that creating and telling stories to his kids was a thread in the Gold family fabric.
One thing makes his story unique is that he and his late wife, Marcia, memorialized it into book form, called The Shiny Penny. Marcia’s illustrations paint the picture for Bob’s story and provide tangible memories that their sons can pass to future generations. In this era of self-publishing, Gold recommends that families capture their stories, as he did.
And having something like a storybook provides a physical connection to family memories that are easily blurred with the onslaught of distractions in today’s always-on world. Bob’s closing advice recommends trying to find balance. Having the opportunity to spend a couple of days with Bob, while we filmed and edited multiple videos, it is clear that family is the fulcrum of the many professional, civic and personal activities that Gold balances; a good story and example for all of us.
