I Got Fired For Christmas

 Ok, so I really did not get fired, even though I was told I was fired, then re-hired, then fired, then re-hired . . . You get the idea. For the past month or so, those of us who are at Ranken Jordan on Wednesday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. have been fired multiple times, but we always get re-hired (so far). The first time I heard this directed at me I could not have been any happier about it!

Why would I be happy to hear that I was fired? It is really quite simple. One of our regular golfers, Joe, has been coming to play golf with us the entire time he has been at Ranken Jordan. For the first several weeks, Joe didn't talk. This certainly is not an abnormal occurrence as many of the kids who have been part of our junior golf program through the 11.5 years have either been non-verbal, or just did not talk much. Even though Joe did not talk during those first several weeks, he communicated very well with us through eye contact, smiles, and giving us frequent thumbs up (I am sure Mr. Palmer would approve of him doing this after a great golf shot).

Around the beginning of December I was setting up for our junior golf clinic and as usual Joe was the first one there. He came right up to me, pointed, and said, "Kevin, you're fired!" We both started laughing and I could not have been any more excited to hear that! Right after he said that he smiled and said, "Ok, you're hired." This was repeated at least three more times that afternoon and each time I was happy to hear it.

See, this is where the junior golf program at Ranken Jordan shows just how different and important it is. We are not necessarily looking for the kids to hit the ball a bit straighter, farther, or make more putts. The primary goals of the program are for the kids to smile, laugh, have fun . . . and get better. Golf is a powerful healing tool and I am fortunate to see the proof of that every Wednesday with the kids. When a child like Joe goes so many weeks without talking and then suddenly starts talking non-stop, it shows how comfortable he is with us, and also how much he enjoys what he is doing. Being able to reach kids in this way is far more important than adding a few yards to a tee shot.

Ever since Joe fired me for the first time, we start each Wednesday with a conversation about what he has done in the past week. He talks, smiles, laughs, and enjoys his time with the therapists, volunteers, and other kids. Joe also enjoys seeing how many times he can hit the golf ball in his target net, but not nearly as much as he enjoys hitting me with the golf ball! At this time of year people are always looking back on the year and reflecting on a myriad of things in their life. Each Wednesday I walk into Ranken Jordan I am grateful that I get the opportunity to spend time with amazing kids like Joe. They get golf lessons from me, but I am the one who is learning the most. Is it Wednesday yet?