At a wonderful summer barbecue celebrating family and the nation’s birthday, a dear friend’s sharp-as-a-whip octogenarian mother declared, “We don’t celebrate Independence Day properly anymore.” There are many who would probably agree, but I did bring up, as an example of trying to honor the occasion with dignity and respect, what goes down every Fourth of July in Vail, Colorado.
In the gorgeous mountain town, only a 90-minute drive from the Mile High City, the day starts with a parade, then a patriotic concert and fireworks. Much is mentioned throughout the day to the courage and sacrifices of those who had the guts to start a new nation based upon liberty and justice for all. Those are lofty goals. Goals to admire for sure.
My favorite part of the day is the concert at the beautiful Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. There a visiting philharmonic orchestra, usually Dallas’, plays patriotic music that stirs the soul of the flag-waving throng. One of my favorites is the Armed Forces Song Medley. The conductor takes the musicians through snippets of the five military branch hymns. Powerful.
One by one - Army, Marine, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard - veterans stand and are exalted for their service in protecting the freedoms our founding fathers envisioned. War is hell but hey, these folks stood in harm’s way and I will forever be grateful. My father was a Marine, all my uncles served in various branches. Between waving my flag and fighting back tears of gratitude, I try and shake the hands of every veteran sitting close as an outward sign of admiration.
What do we admire in life? Who do we admire in life? What are the qualities we admire? Are they healthy and productive? Do they honor, nurture and add value to the communities we serve - home, work and elsewhere?
It makes me think of my golf shirts. I rarely, darn it, play golf these days, but when running around town running errands or working the in the yard, this simple dude from Missouri usually has on a golf shirt. Yep. They’re outward visible signs of those I admire.
For instance, I’ve got red one from the Colorado State University-Pueblo football team. I admire that team - coaches, staff and players. It’s led by John Wristen. The CSU-Pueblo story is an inspiring one.
Wristen, who grew up in Pueblo and starred at quarterback (1980-83) for what was then called the University of Southern Colorado, returned six years ago to restart the football program. It had been abandoned in 1984. One year after his days at the school’s star quarterback.
With no staff, no players and only one year to figure it out, Wristen went to work. The former CU, Northwestern and UCLA assistant coach has excelled in recruiting quality assistants, staff and players and created a powerhouse in Pueblo. The gregarious Wristen deflects praise with, “Hey, I surround myself with people smarter than me and go to work each day encouraging these young men to become superior to their former selves. On and off the field.”
I admire what that program represents. In my Vail hotel closet for the week of hiking, biking, tubing and other fun stuff with darling fiancee and other loved ones, was a Thunderwolves’ golf shirt. It was worn often. Hanging nearby and also worn frequently, a comfy blue shirt from Lousiana College and a white shirt from the University of Colorado. Thanks Vance Morris for the former and all the Buffs for the latter.
Golf shirts in a closet. Hand shakes at a concert. Visible expressions of, at least for me, men, women and groups to admire. The verb defined as “To regard highly because of excellence.”
This week, look around and notice those to admire. What do they exude? Joy? Optimism? Courage? Self Control? Perseverance? A long list of other good stuff?
More important than identifying quality traits in others is emulating them in our lives. Yep. Emulate, defined as “to try and do as well or better than” is real easy to talk about, far more difficult to execute. Simple, not easy.
This week when the going gets tough, throw on a favorite shirt, shake a hand. Admire, emulate and ya know, see what happens.
Good luck!
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