There are certain times in our professional lives that initiate thoughts of being grateful for the way we are able to live our adult lives. In the past three days I have had two such experiences.
On Saturday night, I was able to go back to my high school alma mater, Waterford Our Lady of the Lakes (WOLL) High School, to be a part of an Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony. Though I live only an hour and a half from WOLL, I don't seem to get back there often enough. In addition to getting back to some of my athletic and social roots, ceremonies like this provide inspiration.
My old high school football/basketball coach, Mike Boyd, is still the football coach at OLL. He also serves as the M.C. at these ceremonies and tells some great stories. I graduated from high school in 1976 (35 years ago) and he was coaching there for some years before I entered the school in 9th grade. He served as a mentor to me in the coaching profession during my early years, as I had the opportunity to coach with him for a few years. I was able to see many high school friends during the evening and had the opportunity again to realize that my athletic roots come from a place that valued (and still values) discipline, a complete effort, integrity, fundamentals, and genuine caring. Those things enable a coach like me to reflect on the things I do every day.
Yesterday I attended a viewing at a local funeral home for a friend of mine, Dale Gossman. Dale passed away unexpectedly on Friday while he was at work. He was the same age as I am. I have known Dale for about ten years, and though we didn't have the kind of friendship that had us hanging out together socially, we always spoke to each other when we ran into each other, which was usually a few times per week. I would see Dale at high school athletic events and at the YMCA. He was always smiling. His daughters went to high school with my son Eric and one of them was a friend of his. Dale's wife Jan works at the YMCA and volunteered at Adrian High school sporting events.
As I knelt down at Dale's casket to say a prayer I shed a few tears as I thought about his wife and daughters. Their lives are suddenly changed and I'm sure they have holes in their hearts as they mourn for Dale. I can't imagine what they might be thinking and feeling.
What I can do is try to make the absolute best of every day that I have the privilege of living. God takes us to be with Him for reasons only known to Him. I believe that one of God's roles for me is to have enthusiasm for life and to influence others by the daily interactions that I have with them. Sometimes I fail at that, but other times I know that people feel the positive thoughts and actions that I try my best to exhibit. I hope that in school today I somehow made the day a little brighter for the kids and fellow educators I work with......and I will try to do the same for my players and coaching peers at practice tonight.
I am grateful for the life I have led, and I thank the Lord for providing me with positive influences during my life as well as for leading me into a profession that allows me to enjoy being with His people!
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