I know my FriPup contract states that these posts must be food related, but I think this is a pretty good story . I also know that these kinds of things happen to people every day, and aren’t particularly unique, but damn if I wasn’t knocked out of my chair.
As I was working at the annual soccer camp that I do at Hamilton College, I started to have a conversation with a camper who was sitting at the table. He started by commenting at how much better this week had been than the previous weeks of his summer vacation so far. This 14 year old (14!!) starting working at a dairy farm this summer at the wage of $5 an hour…a figure that the farm owner requested he set. I was riveted to this kid and his story…the 4am wake up, the final chores at the farm ending around 11pm, the 5 mile bike ride both ways , the fact he paid for half of his soccer camp registration fee…not just because his story was great, but because he was so likable and matter of fact about the hard work he had chosen to do.
It also reminded me of our dad. He died about 10 years ago and I just don’t think about him as much as I used to. But now, as this kid is talking about his own life, all of these old stories about my dad, who also worked on a farm as a kid, came flooding back to me. Their stories were reflections of each other…I was staring and listening to the kid but I was seeing my father starring in the lead.
There was also the mention that he wanted to go to college to be a DEC officer, a job held by my father’s best childhood friend, Bugger.
After being locked on to this kid for about 15 minutes, I asked his name. He said it was Brandt.
I opened my mouth but couldn’t say a word. My father’s name was Brandt Baumgartner.
He said it again. “Brandt…It’s spelled B-R-A-N-D-T’
I’ve met a few Brants in my life but never someone with that spelling. It’s actually a surname in my father’s case. ..the last name of a dear friend of my grandfather’s who was killed in World War II.
A few days later I ran into Brandt again and I let him know how much his story meant to me and that I hoped my son grows up to be a true, hard worker just like him…and the other guy I know with the same name.
J
Aug 2, 2011 at 8:16 am
David, thanks for a great story. Obviously this kid has parents who instilled a good work ethic in him and have taught him that anything worth having is worth working hard for. So many parents these days give their kids whatever they’d like and never instill good values in them. I got my first job at 16, and although at 38 I feel as though I’ve been working my whole life, I know that I would not be where I am today if I relied on others to get what I wanted.
elf
Aug 2, 2011 at 8:59 am
touching story David, sometimes connections are made for a purpose, I think someone was thinking of you…..hope this encounter made you smile.
DanCF
Aug 2, 2011 at 9:39 am
Great story!
Kerosena
Aug 2, 2011 at 9:56 am
Wow! That’s amazing. So cool that you were drawn to that kid in particular…like the universe needed the two of you to meet.
Matt
Aug 2, 2011 at 10:57 am
That’s a really amazing story, David.
Kate
Aug 2, 2011 at 1:15 pm
What an amazing story – to connect with this camper & then find out his name – a great way to remember your Dad’s stories. You truly were meant to meet…
My Dad is a 95 Old World Italian war vet & when he tells stories of how he worked when he was a child (his family owned a grocery store & maintained a garden/farm to stock the store) it still amazes me how matter of fact he is about it – it was just what you did back then for your family.
Your story gives me hope that there are still kids being raised to work hard – I hope “Brandt” achieves all his dreams…
Hopeful
Aug 2, 2011 at 3:36 pm
I’m glad you gave Brandt some compliments – a hard worker like he is is hard to find and can certainly use all the encouragement he can get. Nice story.
Broken Barn Industries
Aug 2, 2011 at 3:47 pm
So freaky! You inspired me to write this post about my mom: http://brokenbarn.blogspot.com/2011/08/visit-from-my-mom.html. Thank you!
mrs b clc
Aug 2, 2011 at 10:20 pm
I believe your encounter with Brandt was a “graced” moment.I do not at all understand the mystery of grace,only that it meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.Thanks for sharing such a poignant,personal moment.
scott
Aug 3, 2011 at 8:23 am
It’s good to hear about a young person with A work ethic. Most youngins today just want a paycheck,not what you have to do to get one. My dad instilled the work ethic in me and I wish more people had it,sometimes it’s a curse but I think it has made me a better person.
Great story and yes you were destined to meet this fine young man.
It would have freaked me out with all the similarities to your dad.
Jamie
Aug 3, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Great story! Have you ever read “The Art of Racing in the Rain”? Amazing book, and your story reminded me a little bit of it. Plus, it’s very appropriate for the fridaypuppy blog!
David
Aug 3, 2011 at 2:18 pm
Thanks everyone.
Sharondipity
Jan 13, 2012 at 5:36 pm
I happened upon this in a roundabout way…I’m pretty certain your Dad was my teacher in high school. He was a wonderful man, and I was saddened to hear of his passing.