it's a beautiful day ...

On life's journey, you never know who's you're going to cross paths with. When I was a teacher at Proviso East, Glenn Doc Rivers was a freshman in my class. Teaching at Maine North, I had a junior student actress Jami Gertz. At my doctor's office I ran into another patient seven foot Bill Wennington. One day at the BG post office I ran into the Bulls Dicky Simpkins and an hour later, a sandals wearing Phil Jackson at Borders. At Champs restaurant I met Tyson Chandler when no one recognized him but me. At Cheesecake factory I met former Bull's center Aaron Grey. I've also met badly mangled by the ravages of football, Robo Cop James Thorton of the Bears at a restaurant in Gurnee, Bobby Douglas of the Bears at a restaurant in Vernon Hills and Mike Ditka at a restaurant in Highland Park. Even met Larry Bird cutting his grass in French Lick and Don Knotts wearing his pajamas at the Arlington Sheridan. While on Rush street I had a picture taken with Scotty Pippen and met Jerry West at Faces when he was coaching the Lakers. I've met Ron Santo on the exit ramp of the Kennedy and Tammy Souza in the NBC studios. After games at Wrigley Field, I met Don Drysdale, Lou Brock the day he was traded from the Cubs and even walked and talked Dodger skipper Tommy Lasorda to his limo. I spoke with Ray Meyer in his office minutes before tipoff of an NIT game. Been in the dugout during a game with then shortstop Ozzie Guillen. Sat next to Walter Payton at a Lionel Richie concert at Popular Creek. Walked the field during batting practice joking with Carlton Fisk and Cecil Fielder. Rode in the weinermobile with Tim Wiegel. Shook hands with the likes of Bears Johnny Morris, ND coach Digger Phelphs, Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone and Harry Carey. Not to be out done. honestly had Woody Hayes take a swing at me on the sidelines at Illinois Memorial Stadium.(he missed but Archie Griffin held him back)

I have received personal letters from the likes of Governor Jim Edgar, Senator Barack Obama, First Lady Mrs. Bush, President Bill Clinton, to Ann Landers and Jack Mabley. These are just a sampling of those who crossed paths with the likes of a average guy, like me!

I was just fortunate to be in the right place, at the right time. The importance of name dropping is that everyone of these people were gracious and I learned something from each encounter. They all had a charisma, poise (except Woody) and confidence, in a setting where they could have acted any way they choose. Some people are real jerks (coach Hayes, although he was real passionate) but the people I encountered were people that shaped my life. You don't have to be famous to shape a life. You just have to be considerate to be a true star. There are many other “ordinary” people who have shaped my life. For the most part they didn't know it, maybe didn't even mean to. The bottom line though, is you are a product of your environment and if you pay real good attention, you can pick up subtle nuisances that add up to a real learning experience.

So what can you learn from others today and better yet, what can others learn from you today, on this a beautiful day ...