“Did you ever know that you’re my hero and everything I’d like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle for you are the wind beneath my wings.” (Bette Midler, Wind Beneath My Wings)
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Dustin Hale was only a year older than me, but I thought the sophomore basketball player was a pretty cool guy. We didn’t really hang out away from the basketball court, but he meant a lot to me.
That summer he passed away as the result of a freakish accident.
The gymnasium was absolutely packed for his funeral.
I remember wiping tears away from my cheeks when someone sang “Wind Beneath my Wings”.
For the next three years, his mother gave me permission to wear Dustin’s number #33. Our team would say “1-2-3 Dustin” when we broke every huddle.
We wanted to honor him.
His memory inspired us.
Speaking of honor and inspiration…
As I write this, it’s September 11th, which is the anniversary date of the horrific terrorists’ attacks of 9/11. I recently saw a story about 9/11 that I wanted to mention that is also related to my story of wearing #33.
Todd Pelino was a star soccer player back in the 1980s at Pittsford Mendon High School in New York state. He would then go on to play Division I soccer for Colgate University.
He was one of the nearly 3,000 people to die in the terrorist attack on 9/11.
Instead of retiring Pelino’s former #9, that number stayed alive at his old high school.
Each year, the team votes on who gets to wear that #9.
When I first heard this story and what the program is doing, it really resonated with me.
I love the idea of honoring people.
Don’t be afraid to honor those who have gone before us in creative or special ways.
Also, don’t be afraid to honor those who are still living.
We don’t have to wait until someone is dead.
A kind word, compliment, loving gesture, or gracious act can go a long way.