Arn
and Sweetness
In life as in football
you won't go far,
unless you know
where the goalposts are.
Two great men died last
week within days of one another. These two men never met, but were an integral
part of Chicago and Illinois history. One carried a football for a living. He
missed only one game in thirteen years and amassed over 16,000 yards. This was
more than any other man who played the game. The other man never missed a day
of his adult life doing what he did best, thinking and sharing those thoughts.
He amassed thousands of columns, articles and quotes. This was probably more
than almost any other writer in his field.
Turning 50 wouldn't be bad... if we were allowed
to make a U-turn.
Arnold Glasow was fifty
years old when Walter Payton was born. Arnold had lived through the Depression
and had embarked on his career as a writer. He was already recognized
nationally through his own publications and entries in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and
other magazines and journals. His quotes, quips and witticisms are still used
in current issues of leadership publications and quoted by some of the leading
speakers in the country. Several years ago, Arnold's daughters sorted through
his wealth of written material. The end result was the book, Glasow's Gloombusters.
Walter Payton's records are in the books, though these may one day be broken by
other players. He toiled in front of tens of thousands of people each Sunday
with millions more watching his exploits on television. Both men, though,
worked diligently at their respective crafts. Each did what was necessary to be
the best at their chosen vocations. Both men exuded a love for their chosen
professions and we were the beneficiaries of their talents.
A happy home is more than a roof over
your head - it's a foundation under your feet..
Arnold and Walter each
leave behind the loves of their lives. Arn's wife, Vera, their two daughters,
and a granddaughter were the pillars of his life. Each of these ladies is
accomplished in their own right. Walter's wife, Connie, and his two children
were the people with whom he shared his life. They will carry on their father's
legacy and charitable works. Now each family has the memory of their husband,
father, and grandfather to hold onto. People generally crave adulation and
appreciation for a job well done. Both of these men garnered a large share of
accolades in their lifetimes. When it came down to it, though, each was
happiest in the company of their loved ones. The intimate moments away from the
crowds or the limelight were the best of times. They both lead by example in
putting family first. Their children are a testament to the love that they
received in their formative years.
Podiatrist: a doctor who bills the foot.
I never met Walter
Payton, but the Bears' team podiatrist was one of my teachers. I know that
Walter needed his services on many occasions, especially for "turf
toe", a common injury among football players. I met Arn for the first time
as a patient in my office several years ago. When it became too difficult for
him to come to the office, I was given the opportunity to visit him in his
home. He and Vera always welcomed me into their home with open arms. I may have
been there on business, but the pleasure was definitely mine. He always
inquired about my family, about the practice, and about my writing. He was
quick to share his insightful wit. His mind was sharp even until the last visit
with him four days before he was called Home by the Lord.
Obstacles are those terrifying things we
see when we take our eyes off the goal.
When I started work on
our book, For the Love of
Community, I asked Arn and his family about putting a project
like this together. They shared with me the knowledge they had gained by going
through the process. When our book was completed I wanted to make sure that he
and Vera received one of the first copies and eventually a copy of the tape.
Their words of encouragement were heartfelt and greatly appreciated. When
Walter Payton saw the goal line, he did whatever it took to get across it. He
used his speed, strength, agility and guile to score a touchdown, sometimes all
during the same play. Arn taught me that we often need to use all of our
resources to complete our goals, like publishing a book. When we believe in
something and have the conviction to see it through, amazing things happen in
our lives. Arn and Walter were living examples to that fact.
Eulogy: too much - too late.
Walter Payton's death
made national headlines. He was a well-known athlete, humanitarian, and great
human being. Thousands of people gathered for a memorial in Soldier Field on a
sunny Saturday afternoon in November to pay tribute to him. This typically
quiet, unassuming man who loved his family, his community and the neediest of
its children also loved life, practical jokes, his close friends and especially
his family. His legacy is one of accomplishment through dedication and hard
work. These are lessons from which we can all learn.
Arnold Glasow's life
will be remembered not for his athletic accomplishments, but for those of the
human mind and the human spirit. A man who celebrated life's triumphs and who
always found a way to laugh at the adversity placed in his path. He shared that
all too uncommon trait in today's hurry-up, road rage, deadline-meeting
world...humor. He was able to laugh at himself and at the foibles of life. He
saw the absurd in everyday occurrences. A twist of words at the right moment in
time provided a chuckle when it was needed. Good, clean humor was his
trademark. In an NC-17 world, Arn was a ray of G-rated sunshine. The G stood
for goodness, graciousness, gladness and Glasow. His memorial will not be in
front of thousands. It will be held at Grace Episcopal Church for family,
friends and those wishing to pay their respects this Friday afternoon in
Freeport. I can only imagine that it is just as Arn would have wanted.
Life: the original endurance contest.
Walter Payton, some
will say, died before his time. Arnold Glasow, others will say, lived a long
and fruitful life. Who are we to say when it is our time? Each day we try to
improve on yesterday. We can never love too much, share too much, or care too much
when the cause is pure. One man gave us a lifetime of enjoyment through a game.
The other man gave us a lifetime of wisdom through his words. What can be said
of each man is that he gave his best, he shared a piece of his life with us ,
he loved his family, and he cared about his God and his community. Arn was a
modest man, but this last quote says much about both men, each of whom will be
greatly missed, and the lesson we can learn:
Success is simple: do what's right, the
right way, at the right time.
Thank you, Arn. Thank
you, Sweetness.
Writing and running,
quick-witted and just plain quick. Two great men. One sad week. Our loss is
surely Heaven's gain.
Author's note:
Quotations are from Arnold Glasow's book: Glasow's Gloombusters
