We looked around the dining room table wondering: “There’s a “famous person” here?”
Thanksgiving was being celebrated at our house and since we had guests I had arranged to have a “conversation starter” to be used during the dinner.
I had written out questions that would be drawn individually and hopefully would stimulate the conversation. "Thankfulness" was the theme. You might have drawn this one: “What has happened today that you are thankful for?”
One of the most interesting answers came from one of our young guests. He’s around 10 years old. We had known his dad since he had been a teenager but had since moved away for many years. The whole family was visiting now.
The young boy had drawn this question: “What famous person are you thankful about for influencing your life?”
Since I had written the questions, I had had fun thinking what my answers would have been. I figured they should be quick and spur of the moment responses. Let’s not get too much therapy going here!
Would you think of a movie star or a musician? I immediately thought of my favorite Viking’s quarterback from the 1960’s – Fran Tarkenton. Just because whenever I think of him I start to smile!
That’s because I was amazed at his skill on the football field. Actually, I was amazed he even survived! I have never seen anyone scramble like he was running for his life (do you think?), dashing back and forth, in and out of the clutches of the other team and still throwing the ball.
Or not! (Uffff!)
Perhaps he was symbolic for the pattern my life was going at the time and I kept rooting for him.
So, back to our Thanksgiving dinner table. Our young guest was trying to think of a famous person who had influenced him.
He finally decided and told us all: "I think the famous person would be my dad."
We were all shocked silent. It was such a nice thought.
But our young guest must have wondered at the silence and explained… “Well, he’s kind of famous… he gets lots of calls…”
I thought that was really sweet. And what an honor to be the dad of this young man.
Oh yes, when I thought about it, his dad could be considered famous. He has speaking engagements around the world for which he receives $15,000 - $20,000 each. He recently held training sessions and seminars in Poland and England. Another book of his is planned to be published next February.
On the other hand, I think it is comforting to know that even if you are a famous person, there are those folks who knew you before you were. And we just like you whether you are famous or not!
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