(WJBK) -
I got to work on Friday afternoon in sort of a somber mood. I just
found out last night that a girl I knew in high school lost her very
courageous, very lengthy battle with cancer. She was 31 years old. I
didn't know her well but I wish I did.
A little over a year ago I
got divorced and it certainly affected me. Smiling seemed like hard
work. Being a model employee seemed like a distant memory. Basically,
the joy inside me just kind of eroded away to a point where I was just
going through the motions. I would say that the last year of my life has
been completely lifeless.
Thankfully, over the past few months,
I've been working towards being "The Old Ryan" again. I laugh. I smile
at the most random silly things. I think my co-workers would tell you
that I'm better at my job. And I'm more fun to be around again.
When
I think of all the time I lost being a prisoner in my own mind. I want
to just beat the crap out of myself. I think of this 31-year old woman
who I once knew that just battled for her life and would give anything
to have more time. More time to laugh, more time to smile, more time
with her husband and maybe start a family.
The thing is, we do
have more time. We have today to tell someone we love them. We have
today to make sure we smile. We have today to make sure we are the best
we can be.
People worry about the stupidest things! And I can make a
list for you if you want but you can make your own list. What do you
worry about? The weather, what gift you're gonna buy for someone's
birthday, you went through a drive-thru and they forgot to give you a
straw? OH NO! HOW COULD THOSE USELESS PEOPLE FORGET THE STRAW! Simmer
down there tiger! Does it really matter?
I think we forget
(because I have forgotten) how lucky we all really are. I look at myself
and I say, what the hell do I have to complain about? I worked my ass
off to get into the place I've always wanted to go to college
(University of Michigan), I'm living out a real childhood dream to be in
sports television (and I actually get paid for it). But even those two
things are very small on the ladder of life. If someone asked you why do
you think you are lucky, what would your answer be? Would it be job
related? Some achievement or award you've won? Would it be, I'm not
lucky?
After thinking of the battle that my 31-year old friend
had, if someone asked me what I'm thankful for or why I think I'm lucky,
my answer now, is that I'm healthy and my family loves me. Because in
the end, that's all the really, truly matters, isn't it?
Sorry about rambling and preaching, I've just done a lot of thinking lately.
Now, onto my Bill Bonds story and really why I'm writing this blog.
When
I was growing up there weren't 24-hour news channels. We didn't have
cable and you would turn to one man for the news. That man was Bill
Bonds. Period! Still to this day, Bill Bonds is an icon. I don't think I
have to go much further than that. You all know who Bill Bonds is.
Well, Bill Bonds called me. As I walked into work on Friday afternoon in
that sour, somber mood, I sat down and checked my voicemail on my
office phone.
Bill Bonds left me a message and told me that he
thought I was really good, in fact, he said, "I haven't seen anybody
better in quite some time." He didn't want anything, he didn't even
leave his number so I can call him back and thank him. He just wanted to
tell me what he thought and be on his way. Can I just tell you that no
Emmy nomination, no AP award, nothing meant more to me than that phone
call from that guy. And ya know how simple it was. A phone call to tell
someone what you think of them. It goes a long way. This whole thing
goes to the crux of exactly what I'm trying to say.
I had a crack
in my windshield that I got fixed today. The guy came to Fox 2 and
replaced my windshield. He did a great job, it was simple and made life
easy on me. I called the place and told them what a great job this
particular individual did. Not because I was trying to be nice. But
because the guy did a great job and I thought I would tell his employers
about it. I'm sure they get enough bad calls from customers, just like
me, or every other business in the world.
The fact that Bill
Bonds took the time to call me and give me a compliment was impactful.
He probably doesn't know of the profound impact that it's had on me but
it has.
If all I'm remembered for is being some guy that does the
sports on the news, then I've done a really crappy job with my life. Go
try to make a positive impact on someone's life and see if that doesn't
get your rocks off for ya. Enjoy today, smile, be kind, call someone
and give them a compliment. They go a long way.
