Check out our April newsletter!
April 2022
A collection of thoughts and stories to educate, entertain and inspire. P ACKARD P RESS K E The
THE MAGIC OF SHARING OUR BLESSINGS
One Handmade Bed at a Time!
Last year, right around Christmas, my kids and I knocked on the door of a local refugee family here in San Antonio. While we waited for it to open, the kids were practically bouncing with excitement because we had an amazing gift in the trailer behind us: beds! The folks who answered the door were sweet and grateful. They ushered us inside and led us to an empty bedroom. Minutes later, they were watching in awe while we assembled bunk beds for each of the children. Earlier, my kids and I had prepared the lumber. We cut and sanded the boards and predrilled holes for quick on-site assembly. My kids carried in headboards, sideboards, mattresses, and bedding. We bolted everything together with a few hand tools. Before long, the refugee family’s four kids were climbing all over their brand-new bunk beds! They scampered up the ladder and bounced up and down on the mattresses as if enjoying the world’s best trampoline. I’ll never forget the wonder on that 5-year-old’s face, or how grateful her older siblings were to finally have a bed to sleep in. With something as simple as a modular but sturdy bunk bed, we’d changed their lives for the better! This family came to the U.S. with nothing but what they could carry. A local refugee outreach group helped them find a place to stay, but it was not furnished. They were sleeping on the floor with pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags until the local chapter of the nonprofit organization, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, called us to build their new beds. My kids love building beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and we do it as a family a couple of times each year. The power tools are a
big perk for the teenagers, but they also understand the meaning behind the service. That meaning is why I’m sharing this story with you now, just in time for Easter. The idea that we can always start over and try again is very special to me, and I believe it was also special to our Founding Fathers. This concept is foundational to our country. Our laws and our culture encourage entrepreneurship and improvement, and if we fall flat on our faces, we can start over again! When we help refugees, we’re giving them a second chance at life. They’re starting over with nothing, and I love teaching my kids that we can meet them with love, renewal, and even rebirth. And this is the spirit of Easter. I believe in a God of second chances — and third and fourth chances. Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection from the dead gave me and everyone else the chance to start over. Because of Him, we can and strive to be better today than we were yesterday. I’ve been given so many opportunities and blessings, including the gift of a fresh start. It would be wrong of me to not pay that forward to someone else who is also looking for a fresh start. The gratitude that I was able to witness (including the big smile from the 5-year-old) was just the icing on the cake. If you’re looking for a way to share your love and good fortune this Easter, I highly recommend Sleep in Heavenly Peace. You can find them on their website, SHPBeds.org, or call the San Antonio chapter at 844-432-2337, ext. 5700.
Happy Easter!
– Michael Packard
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SO, YOUR KIDWANTS A CELLPHONE How Can You Tell They’re Ready? If your child is like most young kids, they’ll probably start begging for a smartphone before they’re old enough to have one. The older they get, the more intense the pressure will be to have one, especially as their friends get their own devices. So, when is it time for your kid to have their first phone? According to Common Sense Media, 53% of kids have a smartphone by the age of 11, and Consumer Reports says that 6 out of 10 parents provide their children with a cellphone when their kids are between the ages of 8 and 12. But there is a wide range of opinions — even tech pioneer Bill Gates didn’t allow his children to have a phone until they were 14. Rather than setting a specific age, experts suggest reflecting on your child’s behavior. First, consider whether you can trust them to look after expensive items. If they’re prone to breaking, forgetting, or losing things, it’s wise to wait to give them a pricey electronic device. Next, think about how they respond to restrictions and discipline. To protect your children from unsavory aspects of the internet and social media, you should monitor their phone usage, at least while they’re younger. Is your child likely to respond well to these parameters, or do they have a history of pushing back on structure? If they have a habit of evading rules, a smartphone is a risky proposition. Finally, consider their impulse control. Does your child pay attention in class and get their homework done on time, or are they easily distracted? Evaluate whether or not you think your kid could resist using their phone during school or family time. It’s also important to note the difference between smartphones and other cellphones. Though cellphones that lack internet access are increasingly uncommon, they still exist and are sometimes referred to in jest as “dumbphones.” If you think your child should have access to a phone for safety or to contact their friends, but don’t want them on social media, this is an option worth considering. Whenever you decide your child is ready, have a meaningful conversation with them about your expectations, responsible use, and the danger of online scams and predators. It’s important to give your kid the knowledge they need to use their phone wisely and safely.
3 Ways to Prevent Distracted Driving Right here in Bexar County, there were 17,376 car crashes involving distracted drivers in 2020. Forty-two of them were deadly. The 2021 numbers aren’t out yet, but they’ll likely be even higher! That’s because distracted driving — which includes everything from texting behind the wheel to letting your mind wander — is on the rise. Distracted driving doesn’t get as much attention as drunk driving does, but it’s a serious problem that puts Texas families at risk, including ours. To keep those you love safe on the road, follow these distracted driving tips and share them with your family and friends. 1. Calm your mind before you drive. A study from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that emotional driving — aka driving while you’re sad, angry, or stressed — makes you almost 10 times more likely to crash! To stay safe, wait until your emotions have calmed down before taking the wheel. Take a few deep breaths or listen to a calming song. On the road, count slowly to 10 if you feel road rage coming on. 2. Invest in a pet carrier or harness . Pets and kids can be a huge source of distraction while you’re driving. Most people buckle their kids into booster seats, but they don’t do the same with their pets! To make sure your pet doesn’t stick their nose in your ear or jump in your lap at the wrong moment, try transporting them in a carrier or investing in a harness. Options on Amazon.com start as low as $12. 3. Stash your cellphone. Texting while driving is illegal in Texas, and drivers under 18 can’t use any handheld device while driving legally. Honestly, we’d recommend for everyone to follow that rule and silence their devices, too. Looking instinctively toward your phone when it buzzes or rings could cost you your life. If you need to make a call or send a text, pull over to do it, and if an important call comes in, let it ring and pull over before calling back. April has been dedicated as Distracted Driving Awareness Month to help raise the alarm about distracted driving. Please do your part and share this article with your friends and family! SHARE THESE TIPS TO SAVE A LIFE
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ANSWER OUR RIDDLES, WIN A $100 PIZZA GIFT CARD
You know we have a sense of humor here at the Packard Law Firm (if you didn’t before, our Halloween newsletter probably gave it away), and that definitely extends to April Fools’ Day! We can’t exactly pull a prank on you through the newsletter, but we wanted to do something fun and celebrate with a few brainteasers. Below, you’ll find three riddles chosen by our team. Text or email us the answers, and if you get one or more correct, you’ll be entered to win our fabulous prize: a $100 gift card to Big Lou’s Pizza! Yes, it really is that easy. Just get your riddle on, and either text us at 210- 756-5399 or email us at Giveaway@ PackardFirm.com with your name and your answers. We’ll pick a winner when the contest ends on April 29 and reach out to you the same way you contacted us so you can claim your ticket to pizza heaven.
Riddle No. 1 – What can you catch but not throw?
Riddle No. 2 – What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years? Riddle No. 3 – I have keys, but no locks. I have space, but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I?
And for the Hobbit lovers, here is a bonus riddle — What do I have in my pocket?
P.S. Please try to resist the temptation to use Google. Yes, the answers are out there, but you’re better than that, right? If you’d like a bit of help, invite a few friends or family members to join in the fun. It’s up to you on how they divvy up the free pizza!
From our team of jokesters to yours ...
– The Packard Law Family
ONE-PAN CHICKEN TACOS
TAKE A BREAK
Ingredients
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
1 lb chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch pieces
Canola oil (for frying)
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Corn tortillas
2 tbsp garlic powder
Grated cheddar cheese Pico de gallo and guacamole salsa (to taste)
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2 tbsp cumin
2 tbsp chipotle powder
Directions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces, garlic powder, cumin, and chipotle powder. Mix until the chicken is coated. 2. In a frying pan, heat the oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken mixture. Cook on medium heat for 5–8 minutes. 3. Remove the chicken from the pan, and add the corn tortillas (avoid overlapping) so they soak up the juices. Flip the tortillas and repeat. Then, add chicken and grated cheddar to each tortilla and fold it over the filling — in the pan. 4. Cook the tacos for 3 minutes per side until the tortillas are crispy and the cheese is melted. 5. Top with pico and guacamole salsa, and serve!
Bloom Cleaning Earth Easter
Flowers Fool Prank Ramadan
Recycle Spring Teacher Venus
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The Packard Family Is Here to Help Your Family Personal Injury Social Security Disability Car Accidents Special Needs Planning
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Michael Builds Beds for Refugees
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Is Your Child Ready for a Cellphone? 3 Safe Driving Tips Your Family Needs Enter Our Riddle Contest to Win Big One-Pan Chicken Tacos 3 Insane Events That Happened at Augusta National Golf Club
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3 INSANE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL GOLF CLUB
Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is one of the most famous golf courses in the world. The golf club was constructed back in 1933 and has enthralled golfers of every skill level. Augusta is mostly known for the Masters Tournament, one of the four major championships on the PGA Tour. In its nearly 90-year history, Augusta National Golf Club has seen some crazy events. From hostage situations to near-death experiences, there’s no shortage of unbelievable stories that have taken place on the course. Below you’ll find three of the most bizarre events that have occurred at this golf club. Ronald Reagan’s Bizarre 1983 Round Many presidents throughout our country’s history have enjoyed the game of golf, and Ronald Reagan was no exception. While Reagan was in the middle of a round at Augusta, a man named Charles Harris rammed his pickup truck through a locked gate, stormed into the pro shop, took five hostages, and demanded to speak with the president. Reagan left the course after Harris refused to speak to him over the phone, then the police handled the situation from there. Reagan returned the next day to play an uninterrupted round. The Years Without the Masters During World War II, golf was one of the last things people thought about. After seeing the bulk of their members sent overseas to fight in the war, the owners of the course came up with an alternative way
to make money. They decided to allow cattle and turkeys to roam the course before they were ready for market. It took years for the foliage to return to playing shape. Death and Return At the 2018 Masters, a man named Johnny Pruitt got to live his dream by attending the championship as a spectator. He never made it to his seat though as an irregular heartbeat stopped his heart. Pruitt was taken from the course, and his heart was restarted with a defibrillator before he went into a coma. He awoke from the coma a week later, and Augusta invited him back to attend the 2019 Masters.
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