I wrote a couple posts ago that I’ve got ideas. Well, I was watching 60 minutes this past Sunday and their final segment was on LaDainian Tomlinson. “LT” as he’s called around the sports world turns out to be a big contributor to society. I love watching professional sports. The thing I don’t like about it, is the unhealthy sums of money these guys get for playing sports. The majority of these guys take advantage of this amazing opportunity that they get. Some players getting arrested, big ego’s, just self indulgent jocks. LT is the exact opposite. He spends more time off the field making a real difference then any other player in the NFL. I was amazed at how much time he spends daily making a difference in his community. He invites 21 kids to each home game that can’t afford tickets. 21 for the number he wears. After the game, he meets with each one of those kids. I was touched at how much time he spends off the field using his status to help out other people. It made me think. I would like to do more of this in my profession. Granted, it would be on a much smaller scale. But still, its nice to know that I am making a difference in someones life. I’ve done some things here and there. Helping out a group of Boy Scouts out with fixing their bikes. I got a thank you card for that. Helping out members of TCBC on what to look for on possible bicycle repairs. I was thanked in their newsletter. Helping out that kid coming home from school. He didn’t have any cash, but it was his only means of transportation. No problem. Most of the recognition bicycle mechanics do are for fixing a problem. Repairing something that does not work right.

However, the thing I am most proud of is not from fixing or repairing a bike. Its something else. One of my favorite customers at the shop is named Woody. He’s a different kind of customer. Not the kind that buys thousands of dollars worth of gear. He usually buys all of his things online because its cheaper. Not someone who brings in his bike all the time to get serviced. Yet, we still consider him a great customer because we are helping him out in a different way. He is the bike mechanic for everyone in his neighborhood. He probably owns more bike tools then I do. He frequents our store at least 2-3 times a week in the winter months. Walks in with a big smile. “Hey Mr. Andy”. Any time that I have been in a really stressed out, bad mood at work and Woody walks in, those feelings disappear. Its always a new question. “Which tool do I need for this?” “What part(s) do I need to fix this?” “I can’t figure out this damn bottom bracket”. That last one is a common question, usually followed with some laughs. He’s probably brought in over 30 bikes over the past 3 years or so. Each one with a new problem.  Earlier this summer Woody stopped by to give me something. It was a thank you card, and a gift certificate. I was moved. All I was doing was answering his questions for him. Or on occasin remove a stubborn bottom bracket. But to him I was making a real difference. The card and certificate show that. I couldn’t thank him enough. That thank you card will always be on my bench. Sometimes its the smallest of gestures to one person makes a huge difference to another.