One such "How did I get here" moment was when I would go into New York City and to the offices of the United States Tennis Association. There I would meet with what would be their counter part to my job responsibilities at the United States Golf Association. During those times I met and he would often sit in on our meetings, the tennis great Arthur Ashe. Sitting with him in this small setting, listening to him talk was something very special. Ashe was the only black to win Wimbledon and the United States and Australian Opens. He was a great tennis player. But in my opinion he was a great human.
There are many things I think I will always remember about Ashe but two in particular are, one, I believe it was the New York Times description of him.
slim bookish and bespectacled athlete never thought
of himself as a rebel and preferred information to insurrection."
Secondly in his book.....Ashe describes what Christmas meant to him and what he was taught from his father about Christmas.
me late in the day to visit families who were less fortunate than
we were. We brought food and toys---and Daddy always
insisted that we give away not simply old toys but one or
two of the... new toys we had just received."
Sadly Ashe died much too young. He died February 6th, 1993 at the age of forty-nine.
On occasion I still think of the few times I met and was in his company. It is a rare person that will give away what has just been given to them. What a great attitude, not just at Christmas, but at all times.
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December 23, 2015
Keep on,
Larry Adamson