Nine years ago today, on May 10, 2011, an opportunity that I believe would have made Mr. Clemente proud, became a reality for me. There are very few instances that I can think of when I can point to an exact day or time and say that day was life-changing for me. Each year on May 10, I write a blog post talking about just such a life-changing event. It was on that day in 2011 that we had our very first weekly junior golf clinic at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital.
During the past nine years, I have had the honor and privilege to spend time each and every week, 52 weeks a year (with the exception of the past several weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic), teaching medically complex children how to play golf. While I only go to Ranken Jordan one or two days a week, there is not a day that goes by when I don't think of something I have seen a child do and it makes me smile (and sometimes brings tears to my eyes). Having the opportunity to use golf as a healing tool for these incredible kids is something I am grateful for every day!
There is no way these last nine years would have been possible without a lot of help and support from many, many people. Saying thank you to each and every one of you seems insufficient, but your help and support, in whatever way it has occurred, is profoundly appreciated. I am so very fortunate to have so many great, kind, and considerate friends who are willing to help at a moment's notice! Each of you has played a part in helping over 5,000 medically complex children smile, heal, and be provided an opportunity to do something many of them never thought they could. I look forward to helping even more children in the future and sharing stories of what you have allowed to happen!
For those of you who have not been to Ranken Jordan, you need to come visit! While there you will be amazed by the entire facility, but especially by the incredible people who make up the Ranken Jordan staff. One person in particular, Janine Roe, has been the driving force behind our junior golf program. You will not meet a person who is more dedicated, caring, and compassionate than Janine. Without her the junior golf program would not be possible. Ranken Jordan is lucky to have Janine on their team and I am lucky to count her as a friend!
Trying to adequately describe the past nine years at Ranken Jordan is impossible. Watching children stand up to hit golf balls (and walk) who have been diagnosed as quadriplegics, seeing children hit golf balls from their hospital bed, or seeing a child's face light up with a smile and hearing them yell, "I did it" after a great shot, leaves me speechless every time. I am so incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to spend time with the kids each week, and I look forward to the next nine years of Golfday with the kids! Since I started this post with a quote from a baseball legend, I will end it with another one, but before I do, I want to say "thank you" one more time to each and every one of you who has made this possible!
"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." --Jackie Robinson
