Only the good...

One of the unexpected benefits of owning the field has been the opportunity to watch many young people mature and grow. They come to play, some stay to work, and I get to watch them go through the phases of girl/boy friends, first car, proms and graduations, and going off to college or the military. Lately there have been a bunch of marriages and players showing up with their own children.

Even more unexpected was the recent loss of a player. I'm an old, tired, conservative, military retiree so when this skin headed kid with half a dozen piercings all over his face showed up to play I immediately made assumptions. He had dark brooding eyes and a scowl on his face and I right away decided he was going to be trouble.

Then he smiled and held out his hand and said, "Hey, I'm Rusty. Tell me about paintball." (shown center in the picture) That was the start of an acquaintance and friendship that lasted nearly 10 years. Not nearly long enough. Rusty passed away last Saturday at the age of 35.

I learned things from his smile (and he smiled allot!). I was reminded to look beyond a books cover. He's smiling right now, I'm sure of it. And that makes me smile.

Thanks, Rusty.