October 2nd
I met a man about a week ago and wanted to write about him on this blog, but life took over (as it does) and writing about it had slipped my mind until now. An organization I am with recently hosted a fundraiser for a student who had died of hazing two years ago, at the same institution I currently attend. It was a basketball tournament, and a man I didn't recognize came up and began talking to me. He was very polite and gentle, and thanked me for volunteering. Confused as to who he was, I asked if he was the referee for our next game. Slightly taken aback, he lightly shook his head and told me he was not. Puzzled, I continued conversing with him, eventually asking if he had anyone he knew playing in the tournament. After a moment, I think it dawned on him that I had no idea who he was. Again, he shook his head softly and told me he was the father of the boy who had passed here. He sensed I was (quite obviously) very embarrassed and gave me one of the warmest hugs a stranger could ...