This week’s Morrissey Minute comes with a bit of parenting experience, courtesy of Lou Holtz, who famously said: “You have to endlessly repeat the important messages.”
It’s a simple idea—but a powerful one. The messages we repeat become the messages that stick.
I’ve talked about my granddaughters (to anyone who listens!). Savannah is the older one; she calls me “Chief,” and whenever we part, I always say, “Have fun storming the castle!” Some of you might hear me say it to your children as I place them in their cars at pick up. It’s a phrase from The Princess Bride, and coincidentally, the movie version has a grandfather reading the book to his grandson.
With Savannah, it’s been a one-way transmission. Chief saying something slightly ridiculous, with something meaningful tucked inside it.
And then last week, as I was heading out the door myself, Savannah looked at me and said the 2 and 1/2 year old version: “Have fun in the castle.”
And just like that, the message came back.
Now, if you know The Princess Bride, you know that “storming the castle” isn’t just about adventure—it’s about purpose. It’s about setting off on a journey, yes, but doing so to help a friend, to right a wrong, to stand up for something bigger than yourself. A recognition that worthwhile things are often hard. It’s saying, “I know this won’t be easy, but I’m rooting for you,” or, “You’re heading into something tough—but meaningful. Go for it!”
That, to me, is what we’re doing every day at Crossroads.
We are preparing our students to storm their own “castles”—classrooms, playgrounds, friendships, challenges—and asking them not just to succeed, but to show up for others along the way.
“Storming the castle,” in the language of our Core Virtues, looks like:
- Courage — stepping into something uncertain or difficult
- Perseverance — sticking with it, even when it’s hard
- Compassion — noticing and caring for others
- Responsibility — doing what is right, even when no one is watching
- Respect — honoring others on the journey
- Kindness — choosing to lift others up along the way
So we’ll keep saying the important things. We’ll keep repeating them.
And, if we’re lucky, one day soon we’ll hear them echoed back.
Have a great week—and, of course, have fun storming the castle.
