bernard

my life is an incredibly blessed one. i am without a doubt the most blessed man who has ever walked the face of God's green earth. part of this is the people i have met.

in all of the ballparks i go to, i know a lot of people from security to the "clubbies", ticket takers to fans, local law enforcement to the people who-do-i-don't-know-what-but-they-get-paid-anyway.

i have known bernard for 3 years and he never ceases to amaze me. every year when i see him, we shake hands, give bear hugs, and seem genuinely glad to see each other. lately, his bear hugs have gotten less "bearish".

before every game, he sits at his post and checks the other workers in and a host of other things. and he is always smiling. today when i dropped the players off, i saw him struggling to walk with his cane, partially paralyzed on one side. i couldn't help but choke up.

during the game, his duties were over and it was time for him to go home. i stopped him for a chat and to ask how he was doing. he told me he was good and i told him i thought he looked good. he said, smiling, "i am. i have a few problems but i am happy". last time we talked, he told me he had 1/2 of one of his feet removed, but he was happy. tonight, i asked him how his foot was doing. we talked for a few more minutes and he shared so much. his father was a common laborer for some large company and died of mesothelioma. he told me he needs more surgery. i asked, "what this time?" half kiddingly. he told me his doctor needs to replace both knees, both hips, and he also is having some neurological issues that are worsening. he told me he was a boxer growing up and his doctors think that is where it came from. "but i am happy". here is a man, i guess in his mid 60's, needing all of these surgeries as well as suffering neurologically, all the surgeries he has had, and he is genuinely happy! i really wanted to hug him and tell him i love him and i am blessed to know him.

i thought back to something bear grylls (man vs wild) said and i have to think about my own life. bear said, and i quote:

'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, covered in scars, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'yahoo!', what a ride.'

until next time...