| For making a fool of myself, this is all the thanks I’ll get? |
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While on a jaunt to southern Ohio for a speaking engagement, I stumbled onto a superstar and didn’t even know it.
While eating breakfast with a few folks, one of the gentlemen I was sitting with nearly jumped out of his skin when he said, “There’s something you need to get a picture of.”
I turned around and all I saw was a tall, thin, gray-haired man in a Utah Jazz t-shirt and sweatpants. Not seeing anyone I knew, I said, “What?”
The gentleman explained it was Jerry Sloan, the former coach of the Utah Jazz. I looked again and then said, “Oh, cool, I’ll go get a picture.” Before making a total fool of myself, I asked one more time, “Is that really him? Or are you just pullin’ my leg?” He assured me it was really Jerry Sloan.
Because I was not a Utah Jazz fan and this man was not my idol and, frankly, meant nothing to me, I had no qualms about walking up, introducing myself and getting my picture taken with him.
Then, I began thinking about my sports junkie at home who would think his mom was the coolest if she brought home a picture of a Basketball Hall of Famer. I approached Mr. Sloan as he was getting his waffle from the waffle maker and asked if he was truly the former Jazz coach and as of three weeks ago, yes, he was.
He poured copious amounts of maple syrup substitute on his waffle as I made small talk with this very tall senior citizen who was in impeccable shape. Sticking to him like … well, syrup, I got the feeling he really didn’t want to be bothered, but I didn’t let that stop me, I just kept up with my inquisition:
What are you doing in Wilmington?
“Visiting my wife’s family.”
Where did you grow up?
“In southern Illinois.”
What team are you cheering for in the NCAA tournament?
“The winning one.”
You don’t have a favorite team?
“The one that wins” – and, I finally got a smile there.
Would you mind if I get a picture with you?
“I just got done working out.”
You look great to me!
“Okay, then.”
I gave my camera to a friend and I stood next to this giant, wondering if he was totally ticked off by this annoying redhead bothering him when he was trying to fix his breakfast.
Wondering how close I should stand without it looking totally awkward, my worries were over when he wrapped his long arm around my waist and I placed my hand on his sweat-soaked t-shirt. He smiled nicely – probably because he was happy to see me leave!
Getting home with my picture, I was so excited to share the news with my sports junkie. When I showed him the picture, he said, “Great, but where’s the autograph?”
Ugh.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication. |
| 3/23/2011 |
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