Something Special[i] - Jumping Into the Next Phase

From the Track Runway to the Runway of Life

Five years ago, in the tail-end of COVID’s blur, my daughter Samantha came home and said she was trying something called the long jump.

I barely looked up.
“Long jump? Is that even a sport?”

(Spoiler: it is. And it requires a wild, perfect mix of speed, strength, and fearlessness—qualities I now realize have quietly shaped her all along.)

Back then, I was mostly just relieved she was getting outside. Quarantine had changed things. My social, weekend-sleepover kid had turned inward—burning through hundreds of books, living in her own head, and skipping the pre-teen scene altogether. As a dad, it gave me a strange kind of comfort. No boys? Great. But no connection? That worried me.

Still, she didn’t just withdraw—she built.
She poured herself into movement, into excellence, into the kind of internal drive you can’t teach. And it paid off.

This weekend, we threw her high school graduation party (It’s Graduation Time). And the day before? She jumped—literally—for the PA AAA district track championships. This fall, she’ll head to Middlebury College, one of the best environmental science programs in the country, with a spot on the track team.

From “is this even a sport?” to “she qualified for districts.”
From quiet to confident.
From isolation to impact.
From my arms to the world.

“If you could see what I see now
You gotta know I’m looking up, oh so proud
The one I used to hold is oh so special.”[i]

The emotions sneak up on you in moments like this. One chapter ends. Another begins. You think you’re ready—and then the wave hits.

You remember your forks in the road and the lessons that come from them.

When I was 18, I was sure I had life figured out. I was going to be a veterinarian.

Late in my high school senior year, as part of the college admissions process, I got recruited to wrestle at Duke. No scholarship, though. My dad cried when he realized we couldn’t afford it. I ended up at a PA state school (Go Huskies!). It wasn’t a big deal, I told him. 4 years later I got into vet school. Proud day for dad. And it became one of the best things that ever happened to me. I met my wife on Penn’s campus. Then I dropped out of vet school. Hey plans change. But that temporary stop off at PennVet, set up something special, a life with Kate, Sam and Kai.

Somewhere along the line—through heartbreak, finances, and a bit of fate—My desires, goals, plans all pivoted. I went into finance. Into investing. And eventually, into building Members’ Wealth.

It wasn’t part of the plan. But it became the plan.

So I chuckle when I hear what the seniors plan to study…The lesson I’ve tried to teach my kids—and my clients:

You have to plan, so you can do whatever your heart desires, but be ready to evolve. The path changes. Your principles and values are what matter….for example, it’s not my knowledge of biology that mattered, but my understanding of how to tackle tough challenges.

The other big lesson: no money is not a valid excuse for failing to reach for your goals and dreams.

Dad not having the money shaped a quiet resolve in me. Money would not hold me back from my dream of attending vet school. I would get in from hard work and making connections, regardless of the school I would come from or where I had started. This carried through; no money as an excuse would not hold me back from acquiring real estate, building a great family, or starting Members’ Wealth. I strongly believe that if we had enough money to finance our dreams, the achievements of those dreams would not feel as rich.

Not having also created an inner drive that made me promise myself that if my kids earned their dream, I’d find a way to back them. No shortcuts. No handouts. But I’d show up.

And Samantha earned it. All of it.
She trained. She studied. She grew. She leapt.

And I showed up.

“It’s okay, should this life knock you down
The twisted wheel keeps on spinning ’round
Bet on yourself—your number’s oh so special.”[ii]

But to my point above, Samantha knows Mom and I won't pay for it all. She has to help finance her dreams. We do not want to take from her the self-satisfaction of that accomplishment. We were just there to make sure the fear of taking the risk was not so great that she did not take the risk. This is a very careful balance we seek to strike as parents…and I love contemplating this topic with all who wish to discuss…I digress…

On Friday, I was driving home from the mechanic (it’s a Jeep thing), loving the sound of that old engine and wondering—for the thousandth time—why I bought a 25-year-old Jeep. Nostalgia? Midlife crisis? Maybe both. But the top was off. The sun was out. And on Pearl Jam Radio, Eddie Vedder was introducing Something Special—a song they wrote for their daughters.

It was like they had written my feelings down before I even felt them.

“And if the night grows long, you’re not feeling loved
I will be there—not 'cause it’s my job
I work for free, because you’re both so special.”[iii]

At Members’ Wealth, we often talk about long-term planning. But the truth is—real wealth isn’t just about money. It’s about moments.

About having enough flexibility to say yes to what matters.
About knowing when to take the leap—and when to hold steady.
About living a life that your younger self would be proud of.

And I guess, about building a life where your kids feel free to do the same.

I did my best, Samantha. Had to figure out a lot on the fly. But I kept to one principle my dad handed me:

Show up.

And though you’re moving on, I’ll keep showing up. You need anything—anything at all—just call. I’ll pick up.

Because you’re not just anyone.

“You’re the one and only you.”[iv]

Whether you're sending your own kids off to college, pivoting in your career, or wondering what your next phase is, Members’ Wealth is here to help you plan, leap, and evolve.

Let’s talk about how to build an investment plan that supports the life you’re working toward.

📩 Reach out or visit www.memberswealthllc.com to connect.

[i] All italicized quoted inserts are from Something Special, Pearl Jam. Lyrics in italics throughout this post are from Something Special, a song written by the members of Pearl Jam early in 2024 and dedicated to their kids. All italicized quoted inserts are from Something Special, Pearl Jam

[ii] All italicized quoted inserts are from Something Special, Pearl Jam

[iii] All italicized quoted inserts are from Something Special, Pearl Jam

[iv] All italicized quoted inserts are from Something Special, Pearl Jam

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About the Author

Dane Czaplicki, CFA®

Dane Czaplicki is CEO of Members’ Wealth, a boutique wealth management firm that offers a comprehensive approach to serving individuals, families, business owners, and institutions. The firm’s goal is to preserve and grow its clients’ wealth to endure over time, while thoughtfully evolving its strategy to suit an ever-changing world. With over 20 years of wealth management experience, Dane and the Members' Wealth team thrive on bringing clarity and confidence to clients' unique situations. He believes everyone needs sound financial advice from someone whose interests are aligned with theirs, and is determined to put service before all else.

Dane received his MBA from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree from Bloomsburg University. Outside work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids, hiking and camping, reading, running, and playing with his dog. To learn more about Dane, connect with him on LinkedIn.

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