It's the Little Things

Did you make time to reflect on Solomon’s words, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life?” In my time of reflection this past week, I am even more conscious of the “voices” in my head and how my heart “feels.” How much more powerful can we be as a human being if we can pay close attention to all our thoughts and feelings?

Sitting down and writing my thoughts for this week’s blog, I find my heart full and definitely reflecting back over the past four days. Tears of joy, pride, and love fill my eyes even now. Starting Wednesday, we picked up Jon’s sister, Lynn, at the airport and later that evening we had dinner with Lynn as well as Penny and Ray. The five of us don’t always get a chance to sit and talk, but we took advantage of this quiet time together. They were coming to help be a part of the celebration.

We had an incredible time continuing to welcome our family on Thursday all of whom came to help Jon celebrate. This was the night of the University of Colorado Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and Jon was one of 11 inductees. Jason, his wife, Michelle, and 3 year old Teagan flew in from St. Louis for just the Induction Ceremony. The three of them had an early Friday morning flight back since Jason had his football game on Saturday. Elsa drove the five and a half hours with her two children, and Garet flew in later in the afternoon as he had meetings in Oklahoma. My sister drove eight and a half hours with my mom from Wichita, and my brother, Jim, with his wife Becky also flew in for the celebration. Amanda, Rob, and our other two grandchildren came from Highlands Ranch as well as other relatives who live here in Colorado. We were surrounded by family – it’s the little things that made this weekend one to cherish.

Jon was inducted with 11 others making a total of 79 people who have been inducted into this Hall of Fame. All but three are either coaches or athletes. Fred Cassotti and Larry Zimmer are the only other two, besides Jon, who were administrators or media. The speech Jon gave centered on three themes that he tried to live by: one, he wouldn’t have had a job at all if it weren’t for the student athletes, two, he got paid to do what others paid to do, and three, surround yourself with good people. Since the call from Athletic Director Rick George several months ago telling him that he had been inducted into CU’s Hall of Fame, Jon has been humbled, amazed, and in awe of this great honor.

From the beginning of formulating his speech it was always about the people. Mark McIntosh in his weekly Pep Talk writing referenced Jon and his speech. “In the induction speech Jon thanked others and in the lofty moment of individual achievement, a man stayed focused on gratitude towards others.” Mark went on the say that we all should “never grow weary of doing good for others…it’s a powerful example to the truth that if we embrace such a philosophy, nobody reaps the harvest more than us.” AMEN!  To a person, Jon was told time and time again how powerful his message was and how heartfelt it was. They commented on how much they appreciated that he was always a man of integrity, honesty, and worked tirelessly behind the scenes himself for the betterment of the student athletes, coaches, and the entire athletic department. It’s the little things.

At the end of the speech, Jon asked anyone who had ever worked for or with him including part time and student employees to stand and be recognized. I can’t even describe the tears of pride I had as I looked around and saw so many familiar faces with SMILES on THEIR faces. It’s the little things.

In all my 40 years of knowing this man and 39 years of marriage, he has never wavered from who he is, what he believes in, and that he walks his talk. He has such a deep love of the Colorado Buffaloes that “bleeding black and gold” is not far from the truth. I remember Ceal Barry, women’s basketball coach for 20+ years and now administrator, saying numerous times, that she didn’t always like what Jon told her about budgets etc., but she knew he was always giving it to her straight. This past weekend, her reflections of her time working with Jon on the administrative side is how it was all about people. It was a close knit family environment. Though that word “family” is used quite often it was definitely a family. It’s the little things.

Jon was always an advocate for the staff that worked LONG hours behind the scenes, those that were on the front line selling tickets or answering the phone calls from disgruntled fans. During some of the darkest times for the department, Jon and his ticket/business office staff went around every Tuesday to other departments to cheer them up. He was also the guy on Friday home football games out with the crew putting up the gates. He felt that if he helped they wouldn’t have to stay quite as late. Jean Onaga, long time secretary in the football office, always remembers how it was Jon who got the secretaries on one away football game each year as a thank you for their work “behind the scenes.” It’s the little things.

Throughout the weekend, there were people coming up sharing stories of how Jon had helped them when they lost their tickets and needed a duplicate, they had stories of situations that happened years ago but were still in their memory. They remembered Jon as someone who took the time to help, or listen to a problem, someone who never needed the personal recognition, title, or attention. That was NOT who he was. So the fact that the induction speech was all about others is not out of character. It is who Jon is and his hope has always been that others will carry on the legacy of serving others, especially supporting those behind the scenes, for the betterment of all. It’s the little things.

I look at our children as young adults with their own careers, being a spouse and a parent, and building a strong foundation in all areas of their lives. Their words and their actions reflect the same mindset as their dad. It’s the little things that make a difference in the lives of the people around them, and now they are the ones showing others that it really is about the little things. They were a part of the athletic department from birth. They watched their dad on game days, at bowl games, tournaments, and in just the everyday running of the department. That legacy of serving others, remembering the ones that work tirelessly behind the scenes, and making a difference for the betterment of the whole is being carried on through our children.

It’s the little things.  Isn’t that what we remember most of all?  Isn’t it the kind word, the listening ear, the note of thanks and appreciation, the rolling up our sleeves and helping out when necessary, and having the focus on making a difference for someone else?  Isn’t it the attitude and mindset of Inclusive versus Exclusive? It’s NOT about power, control, and titles. It’s NOT about what am I going to get in return. It is truly about being a part of a team, a family, a community. It’s truly about doing the best we can do whether it be at our job, with our spouse, with our children/grandchildren, friends, neighbors, and those we meet.  It’s the little things.

As a last story of this weekend, a former track athlete and now track coach commented to Jon that he was always there with a smile and ready to help in whatever way he could. Jon’s response was he realized that he actually was lazy. (If you know Jon at all, you know that the word “lazy” isn’t in his vocabulary.) And then, with a smile, he told the young man that he had learned a long time ago that it took more muscles to frown than it did to smile so he decided it was better to smile.  It’s the little things.

After all the activities of the weekend have ended and people have gone home, Jon has continued to remain humble, honored, and in awe of this prestigious award. What he continuously shares with me is that he never saw himself the way people see him. He never thought his speech would touch so many. He never knew that some of the little things he had done along the way, things he did naturally, had meant so much to people.

  

Here’s to a week of reflection on what little things we can each do to make it a great day for someone else.

I would carry this one step further and have you begin to think about the holidays. What are the little things that will leave lasting memories? No one will remember a year from now whether the turkey was dry or the number of gifts they received. I would suggest, however, that a special, meaningful note, or a heartfelt thank you will be tucked away to be reread many times, or the gift with special significance will have a special “home.”

As always, I look forward to reading your thoughts and comments.