Last night as it was getting dark, I was sitting in Bevos, a hamburger place belonging to a U. Texas fan, waiting on a truck driver to bring me some supplies. Two college age students and their mother walked in. The girl who had already finished college and is an RN in Dallas saw me and came and hugged me....me dirty and all. Her brother came up and pat me on the back and shook my hand. I am not in their social circle and do not go to church with them and their dad works at the bank I use but I never spend time with him. Their mom's dad was a friend of my dad but I only saw him a couple of times. Why would them be so friendly to me, some might ask. Well, it could be that I officiated basketball games and football games when they were growing up, but that usually doesn't make a lot of friends for you. It was because they know that I have worked so hard helping all the kids who show livestock. I get the barn ready, clean it up afterwards and for 23 years have washed the stalls after the county show. I work the ring during the show and like their dad have given kids projects who could not afford it. I have often thought about quitting as the ones like me who do the hard work are often never recognized, but last night two beautiful young people made my day and even my life worth while. I love kids and love being around good kids. There are so many wonderful kids that never get recognized either, only the bad ones.
There have been several football teams and other athletes from colleges that have gotten in trouble lately. They made the news, but what about the good ones. One young man a couple of years ago was going to start for Baylor in football. His dad is a local trash collector. He called his dad and asked him to tell me so I could watch or listen to his game. This boy was a local star. He made a great man and got a very good education. His brother who could have played D I never went to college as he had no motivation. I refereed a lot of games both of them played and wore the white cap. I was honored that a young boy from the wrong side of town and black, would want me to watch him play. I had only seen him twice in public outside a stadium, but he thought enough of me to want me to watch him. I was the one honored.
I had a 3 time all American football player to come to a party my wife and I gave. He made all pro several times and when I saw him at a gas station he was shy and timid as we spoke. He was a poor white boy who took care of his mother in an unbelievable way. He came to my party. I was honored greatly.
An older man I have met is the singer, Jimmy Dean. His mother raised her boys in the very poorest part of Plainview, TX. I have been to the house where Jimmy and his brother was raised. Jimmy never did forget her and he did not want people to make over him. I have eaten at the next table to his. He is a common man who never forgot his roots. He cared for his mother deeply. Next mother's day listen to his record of appreciation for his mother. That is the way it really happened.
There are good people. There are great young people.
When I leave this world, I hope that someone can say of me that I helped young people have a better life.
There have been several football teams and other athletes from colleges that have gotten in trouble lately. They made the news, but what about the good ones. One young man a couple of years ago was going to start for Baylor in football. His dad is a local trash collector. He called his dad and asked him to tell me so I could watch or listen to his game. This boy was a local star. He made a great man and got a very good education. His brother who could have played D I never went to college as he had no motivation. I refereed a lot of games both of them played and wore the white cap. I was honored that a young boy from the wrong side of town and black, would want me to watch him play. I had only seen him twice in public outside a stadium, but he thought enough of me to want me to watch him. I was the one honored.
I had a 3 time all American football player to come to a party my wife and I gave. He made all pro several times and when I saw him at a gas station he was shy and timid as we spoke. He was a poor white boy who took care of his mother in an unbelievable way. He came to my party. I was honored greatly.
An older man I have met is the singer, Jimmy Dean. His mother raised her boys in the very poorest part of Plainview, TX. I have been to the house where Jimmy and his brother was raised. Jimmy never did forget her and he did not want people to make over him. I have eaten at the next table to his. He is a common man who never forgot his roots. He cared for his mother deeply. Next mother's day listen to his record of appreciation for his mother. That is the way it really happened.
There are good people. There are great young people.
When I leave this world, I hope that someone can say of me that I helped young people have a better life.
