Russ

When I was a young boy, there was a guy who lived in our neighbourhood called Russ. While he loved sports, I didn’t see him as particularly gifted in them. His technique was often unorthodox and awkward. That didn’t stop him from participating.

He was actually very kind to me. At least, I think he was. While he was on vacation, Russ let me deliver his papers, giving me a penny for each one. I later found out that he was paid two and a half cents. However, I appreciated earning the money.

He also tipped me off on a snow-shovelling job he didn’t want. I spent over six hours cleaning deep ice and snow from somebody’s driveway. I was paid ten dollars. Even in those days, that wasn’t a fair wage for the amount of work I put into it. Again, I appreciated the money nevertheless.

Russ tried out for our softball team. He always wanted to be in the centre of things. He wanted to be the pitcher. For the first couple of years, he made the team. Eventually, though, he was cut from the squad. That didn’t stop him. He went to another team that was not as good as ours. The first time we faced Russ, he pitched and actually beat us. Can you imagine that? Why I could pitch better than Russ, but he beat us.

He went to a different high school than I did. I heard through the grapevine that he was the quarterback of the football team and the place kicker. I remember going over to the schoolyard while he was practising and kicking a few field goals with him. I found out I was a better kicker than he was. I figured I was a better quarterback, too.

There was one big difference between Russ and me. He didn’t care a heck of a lot what I thought. He just went out there, did his best and had fun. All I did was sit back thinking how much better I was than he. I never tried out for my school’s football team. I didn’t accomplish very much, did I?

When I look back at my teenage years (and even beyond), I wince at the missed opportunities where I talked a good talk but didn’t get out there and just do it. It is sort of like flying kites in your mind. You can imagine the experience all you want, but it isn’t until you actually feel the wind tugging at it that you feel the exhilaration.

My guess is that Russ has gone on to great things in life. I certainly hope so. By his sheer determination and attitude, he deserves it.