Last week I received an email from a PR firm out of Chicago, which read:
"I wanted to invite you to be a part of an upcoming event in High Point. I’ve been reading your blog Baby Boomer Talk & Other Stuff and saw that you’ve been taking care of your grandson while your daughter is in school and thought this might be great fun for the both of you. On Saturday, Oct. 29 at YWCA High Point community members will team up with Humana, to build a multi-generational playground that will benefit children, adults and seniors.
For those of you who don't know, High Point is about 90 minutes from where I live and it's not a place I've ever visited so, while I was flattered for the invite and that she was reading my blog, I wasn't quite sure I wanted to make the trip.
But then she added a nugget: Former UNC Basketball Player Brendan Haywood would be there. I knew my grandson would get a kick out of meeting an NBA player up close and personal but it was even more special for me because I was acquainted with Brendan long before he went to the NBA. While a UNC student, he attended the same church as me and we always sat together in the balcony. I would affectionately call him "my son" and encourage him to not only to do well on the basketball court but to also shine in the classroom. I remember him being very quiet and respectful.
My grandson and I braved the cold temperatures and high-tailed it to High Point. Although Brendan was scheduled to leave by 11am, he was kind enough to wait for our arrival. He and my grandson participated in a video shoot for my TV show, while I watched as volunteers came together, despite the cold, rain and mud, to build the playground. Simply amazing!
Here's what I got out of that trip:
- I witnessed the true spirit of teamwork, in spite of the weather-related obstacles.
- People are really reading my blog and being influenced in some way by it.
- My grandson thinks I'm "the coolest."
- The pleasure of seeing Brendan again and seeing that success hasn't changed him. He's still quiet and respectful.
