The "One of Life's Moments" Stories

Ripken Complex in Aberdeen, MD

It was an ordinary day.  Our daughter, Brynn, and granddaughters Courtney and Camille  traveled from Maryland to visit with us for the weekend and to attend a few family functions over the weekend.  My neice and her husband had scheduled a birthday party for two of their children and my brother and sister-in-law scheduled a pool party at their house for everyone who attended the birthday party.  My brother lives right next to his daughter so it makes for an easy trip after the birthday party.  One evening over the weekend, after the grandkids had gone to bed, Carol and I sat with Brynn and we had a chance to catch up on all the latest news and gossip.  It was during this time that she told us a story about one of her friends, Karen.  This story was on Karen's Facebook page and is soooooo good that I had to share it with you.  On this particular day, Karen's son had a little league baseball game at The Ripken Academy, home of Cal Ripken youth camps and tournaments.  Fabulous facility with miniature sized fields designed to look like some of the major league ballfields.  The complex is located in Aberdeen, Maryland.  The rest of the story is in Karen's words.  I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.  

Ok...I'm not sure I can do this story justice on here...but here goes. We own a tent but have no rolling bag, so I was schlepping from the car to the field. The rest of the family had already headed out to the field. I parked the car close to the first game, but it turned out to be the furthest place possible to the next game...and those tents are super heavy. So I was about three fourths of the way there and I thought I might die. I couldn't feel my arms, I was sweating profusely, shuffling it from one shoulder to the other or carrying it like a bundle of logs, when I was approached by a gentleman in sunglasses and a baseball hat. He said, "Can I help you with your tent?" Normally I would say no because I'm fairly proud, but I said, "Sure, thanks." I never really looked him in the face because I was embarrassed that I needed help and I was embarrassed I was so freaking sweaty. We walked along together and I thanked him and asked if his son was on the opposing team...he had a red hat on and the team we were playing was red. He said, "No, I'm just an interested observer." I told him he could just put my tent down near the field and I would get some of the men to come get it. He said that he would take it wherever I needed it. So I continued down the hill walking side by side telling him how appreciative I was. When we finally got to the spot I yelled, "Dad, Robert...I needed your help and this kind, strange man (for the record I meant stranger) just carried my tent." The kind strange man took off his sunglasses and said, "I'm Cal." I was rendered completely speechless (and for those of you who know me well...that NEVER happens.) I was standing extremely close to him and I looked up into those beautiful blues and said the only words that came to my mind..."I am in awe of you, Mr. Ripken." Really? Like a lovesick freakin' sweaty puppy. Needless to say, my oldest son Robert was handing me his phone saying, "Take a picture, Karen"...trying to knock me out of my wordless stupor. And so a few of us got some quick pix and them he walked off. I already thought he was amazing...but seriously?!?!...I walked side by side with Cal Ripken while he carried my tent and had NO idea...I only wish I could hear him tell it...hahaha...once in a lifetime, man.

Amazing story and I loved it!!  Only goes to show you that celebraties and athletes at times look as common as anyone and can be as human and caring as the next person.  I only wish I could have been walking with the two of them that day.  While searching for the story on her Facebook page I had to laugh when I saw that her image on her page is Cal Ripken.  What else could it be?  Perfect ending!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.