A Valuable Lesson

In the summer of 1998 the Padres were in the thick of the pennant race. Greg Vaughn was on his way to 50 dingers, Hoffy was chasing the consecutive saves record and Tony Gwynn was flirting with his---- batting title and those of us blessed to be chosen for the Pad Squad were having the time of our lives.

In what was one of the less exciting parts of our job, I learned one of my most valuable life lessons ever.

A lesson on living.

A lesson on enjoying life no matter what your circumstances.

My assignment was to assist the ticket office during busier late morning and lunchtime hours. We proved to be valuable to the ticket office as well as the rest of the Padres organization, sentiments that were echoed from ticket office employees as well as upper management. During that summer and on through September, ticket lines were often long and despite the best efforts of the staff, slow at times. This was due to the fact that many ticket buyers were not as familiar with the Stadium as others; making their time at the windows a lot longer than “Gimme 4 tickets in…”  Part of our job was to assist guest in choosing the location that best suited their budgets as well as their needs and wants. Ticket office staff often told me that they could always tell when we left, as buyers were a little more agitated after standing in the midday heat on their lunch breaks.

One day, I clocked in and made my way to the ticket office and load up on pocket schedules and any needed information for the homestand. As I was walked out of the old Compadres office next to Randy Jones Barbecue I encountered and elderly woman who was making slow going of it.

This kindly woman was there for a luncheon with the Madres, a wonderful organization of die-hard fans who raise money for Little League and other such worthy causes. I had no information whatsoever about the luncheon and the lady said she’d just wait around, as she was there a little early anyways. We chatted briefly and during our conversation and she mentioned that she recently had surgery on her back. Now I’ve never had back surgery or for that matter, any type of surgery. But I knew enough to know that this was one strong woman; she looked to be around 80 years old and was out there in the blazing sun when a younger, healthier person might not have even attempted to spend a day out. And all the while, she had this smile on her face, a warmth about her that is rarely encountered these days. Just a happy person. Simply happy to BE.  Not a trace of bitterness or self pity to be found.

I made my way back towards the ticket office, making a mental note to inquire about the luncheon and also check on the lady. I also needed to get another bottle of water, since I gave mine to the woman who had such a beautiful outlook in the midst of such physical adversity. I learned that the luncheon wasn’t set to begin for more than an hour, so I asked the ticket office staff if the woman could come sit in the air-conditioned office, since the weather outside was above 90 degrees. They happily agreed so I raced back to where the woman stood. The shade she had found helped some but it was still baking. When I found her, I informed her that she wouldn’t be permitted to enter the Stadium for another 45 minutes but I found a place for her with a chair as well as air conditioning. As I began to walk with her to the ticket office, another woman approached and she also inquired about the luncheon. She was about 25 or 30 years younger than the other woman but it was immediately obvious she didn’t have the same positive outlook. First of all, she complained about the weather. Then she griped about how she left her invitation at home and how they better let her in anyways. Finally, she complained about the luncheon being 45 minutes away. She also went out of her way to treat me as if it was all my fault.

I did my best to inform her that there was somewhere she could stay while she waited and made of course, she was aggravated at me because she had to walk there. As the three of us made our way to the office, she got more and more impatient. I tried my best to stay with the older woman while also keeping up with the other one. The more the other woman got aggravated, the older one would fall behind. But all the while, she tried her best to keep up. I realized that the older woman needed and deserved my help more than the younger, bitter woman. I walked back to her and offered her my arm for balance. Immediately she apologized and reminded me of her recent surgery. I assured her “Ma’am, you take all the time you need. I’ll be right here by your side. If it takes all day, that’s how long I’ll be here with you.” After that, I jokingly added “But I do have a game to get to tonight!”

When we got to the ticket office, I ushered the older woman inside. Then I did something I had never done before or since.

I had a chance to hold the door for a lady but I refused.

 I was helping the older woman and I wasn’t about to turn away from her to hold the door for the other woman. I walked the older woman to a chair, replaced her now-empty water bottle and went back to work. Before I left her side though I told her that if she needed anything, don’t hesitate to ask for me. The ticket office had radio contact with me and I assured her that if they called on her behalf, I’d come running.

I never did see her after that day, although she did ask the staff to relay her utmost thanks for my assistance. I learned so much from that woman that day. I could see the pure love she had in her heart for others and for life itself. It was very evident but even easier to see when compared to the other woman and her poor attitude and outlook. Later that evening, I told Mom the story. She wasn’t happy at first, as I started the story about not holding the door for the other woman. When she heard the full story, she was very proud of how I carried myself that day.

One other great thing I learned from that kind lady was how valuable my position was. Not in cash value or what I could get out of it but rather the ability to do such things for people. Finding a need and filling that need. Making someone smile, making someone’s day better for having been part of it. Being part of the Pad Squad afforded me several such opportunities each and every day. That’s one of the memories that I cherish most, because not only was I in a position to help someone; this wonderful lady helped me in ways she’ll probably never know.

She taught me that if you smile in the face of adversity, it’s not really adversity.

She taught me that even if you’re in someone’s life for even a few minutes, you can make a lifelong impact.

She taught me that for every one thing there is to complain about, there are a million things to be grateful for.

When I’m running through a frozen parking lot in a hailstorm and dealing with shin splints; when I’m physically exhausted and the summer heat is sapping my strength, I think of that woman from 15 summers ago and I smile. She was over three times my age, with a bad back, sweating it out in 90 degree heat. But from the look on her face and in her eyes, she might as well have been on a beach in Cabo with a margarita in her hand.

God Bless her and others like her. They’re the ones who truly make the world go round…