Nice Piece from J. Michael Steinhardt Parishioner and Guest Blogger

 A few years ago I saw a piece on television about Indianapolis Colts’ Peyton Manning and his practice of sending hand-written personal letters to retiring NFL players.  It is something he  decided to do to acknowledge the contribution of others to the lifestyle he now enjoys.  The letters are sent to all players including those who played and have not played against him.  He handwrites every single letter because “he believes it says ‘it’s from my heart’.” 

A typical letter might include something like, “I admire you in the way you’ve handled yourself on and off the field. Best of luck in your post-NFL career.” 

Manning writes these letters to show his respect for his peers to express how he appreciated their accomplishment and their character and not simply their stats. He explains, “They played the right way, played when they were hurt, they put it all on the line.” In doing so he lets these retirees know there is another player – in this case one of the premier players in the league – out there that appreciated them and their efforts.

Manning’s acknowledgement with no ulterior motive can be powerful in many regards.  For example, in this era of modern technology, where phone messages, emails and tweets have replaced personal letters, there is nothing more affirming than the power of the handwritten word.  It is a personal, lasting, and nowadays a unique way to share ourselves with one another.    One person said, “Affirmations are like prescriptions for certain aspects of yourself you want to change.”  They are powerful for both the sender and the recipient.

Robert Kennedy said in this regard, “Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.”  Don’t believe it?  Write a short affirming letter today to someone in your own life – a relative, friend, former teacher, your old boss – and see how good it feels and how welcome it will be received.

Guest Blogger

Dear Friends,

The Newsletter Committee here at St. Dominic thought it might be neat to have a few guest bloggers write on “Word to the Father”.  I guess they have gotten tired of the same old musings from your’s truly !  However, I am pleased to welcome to “Word to the Father”, Mr. J. Michael Steinhardt, a faithful parishioner here at the parish and a man dedicated to his faith life.  Mr. Steinhardt is a gifted writer and I am pleased to include this reflection for you on the late, great, Harmon Killebrew.  Thank you, Michael, for your reflection:

Faith insights can be found just about every where.  Recently, I found one in the sports pages.  It was an article about “Hammerin’ Harmon,” or “Killer, the latter a nickname applied “ironically as huge bikers are called ‘Tiny.’”  His claim to fame was as a prolific home run hitter first for the Washington Senators and later the Minnesota Twins.  During his twenty-two career, he hit 573 home runs and was eventually voted to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1983.  Away from baseball where he ravaged opposing pitchers, “Killer” was remembered as an introvert, “almost ego-less” as one opponent called him,” and acknowledged as “one of the finest gentlemen in all of sport.”  With regard to his modesty, someone once said of him, “He never wore eye black above his shoe tops.”  Those familiar with the nuances of baseball will understand that analogy.

The article carried the news that during the past year, at age seventy-four, Hammerin’ Harmon was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.  However, that was only part of the news.  It further disclosed that he was giving up plans to continue trying to beat his disease and settle into the final days of his life in hospice care to be close with his wife.  “I am very comfortable taking this next step and experiencing the compassionate care hospice provides,” he volunteered. 

Many of Harmon’s friends expressed “profound disappointment” that he was giving up and would no longer seek treatment.  It brought to memory what someone a lot smarter than me once said in this regard, “Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgement of the facts of a situation.  Then deciding what you’re going to do about it.”  I imagined that this is how “Killer,” a Mormon convert, must’ve seen things!  He was not giving up on his battle with cancer, but instead pragmatically accepting his disease.  John 6:52 came to mind, “If any man eats of this [our daily bread], he shall live forever.”

The words of the “Our Father” came to mind, namely, “Our Father who art in heaven” asking God to “give of us this day our daily bread” even though often times we really mean me and mine..  “Killer” probably prayed it the way it was intended. 

 “Killer” died on May 17, 2011 only a short time after entering hospice care.

J. Michael Steinhardt