Wednesday, January 14, 2009
In truth I really didn't know Ray exceptionally well, but I'll always fondly remember a kind gesture, or rather a "random act of kindness" he extended to me 25+ years ago, after my father's death.
I met Ray (where else?) but at a Pitman HS baseball game. As I stood watching the game next to this "older" gentleman, we started to chat, just talking baseball.
After a while, he said "if we're gonna talk baseball, I should know your name." When I told him who I was, he waited several minutes,then asked me where I grew up. When I told him, his stare grew stern and he asked me, in a serious tone, who my father was. I wondered to myself if I had somehow offended him.
When I told him who my father was, he quickly turned to face me and said, almost nose to nose, "I'm happy to meet you. I knew your father. Your father was a great guy, a REALLY great guy. I worked with him for over 20 years and I can't tell you how much fun we had together."
Well Ray didn't know it, and I never told him so, but the kind words he said to me that day will never be forgotten.
Even today with I think about it, those few words still bring a smile to my face. It was wonderful to know someone thought my Dad was a great guy.
And, even though I saw Ray many times over the years, mostly at sporting events,I never told him how much that "random act of kindness" meant to me.
So to Ray's family- I hope it brings you comfort- as Ray's words did for me- to know how many people think your Dad (husband/grand-dad/great granddad)was a REALLY great guy!
When I answeed
