Let’s Skip the Bull, LESSONS FROM DAD AFTER YOUR MOM DIED Daryl Calfee

Last year, Daryl Calfee reached out to me about his book, and I added it to my reading and review list. Today, as I revisited that list, the title Let’s Skip the Bull immediately caught my attention. When I reread Daryl’s original email, I was reminded of the profound reason this book exists. He wrote it as a collection of practical, life-shaping advice for his three children after they experienced the unimaginable loss of their mother, who passed away following a courageous battle with cancer.

This book is deeply personal and thoughtfully interwoven with stories from Daryl’s own family journey—stories shaped by love, grief, resilience, and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, not only because of its wisdom, but because of its heart.

Let’s Skip the Bull explores why dreams matter, how intentional “watermarks” can help define and anchor each year of our lives, and why truly showing up for people often requires real sacrifice.

The lessons feel genuine and lived-in, never preachy. One of my favorite moments is the story about trading a cow for a truck, a simple yet memorable illustration of how some of life’s meaningful lessons come from unexpected places. This book is both a gift to his children and a reminder to all of us to live with purpose, honesty, and courage.