Gary and Josh

The Everett Parks Department sponsors a kid’s fish-in at Silver Lake each May. The Evergreen Fly Fishing Club, which I am a member of, helps with the event. There is a net pen full of fish set up near the shore and kids who come can catch up to two fish each. Fishing poles, reels, and bait are provided for the kids. It is a popular and well attended event every year.

At our fly club meetings part of our agenda is for each of us to give fishing reports and for officers and committee chairs to give reports.

At our last meeting, during the fishing reports, one our members Gary talked about the fishing he had done since the last meeting and then said that he wanted to talk about a kid he had helped at the fish-in. The boy, Josh, came with his grandpa. Gary said that as they approached he saw that Josh had a white cane so he knew working with him was going to be different. Gary explained that besides being blind Josh was also autistic so he didn’t say much at all. Gary handed Josh the fishing pole and explained to him what he was holding and had him feel the whole thing. Josh had never fished before. Gary also had him touch the reel and turn the handle and then feel the line and the hook. Gary baited the hook for him and cast it out. In short order Josh had a fish, his first ever, and he reeled it in. Gary picked up the trout and let Josh feel it and stick his fingers in its mouth. Gary set him up again and Josh caught a second fish.

This time of year the guys in the club do a lot of fishing so almost everyone has a fishing report. Some of the reports are lengthy and some are short; most are interesting. Of all the reports that evening going away I enjoyed Gary’s story of helping Josh more than anything. I was moved that Gary was so careful to take Josh for who he was and to help him have a good experience.

It gets too easy for me sometimes to complain and be cynical about the world. As soon as Gary was finished talking I put both my arms in the air, kind of like the touchdown signal, and then did two thumbs up towards him. I appreciated so much hearing this story of one human being reaching out to another who he had never met. I appreciated how Gary treated Josh with respect and dignity. I take inspiration from things like this; it encourages me to want to be a better person.

It is the weekend. Please be good. Drive your cars carefully. Ride with people who drive carefully. Treat yourself with respect. Spend time with people who treat you with respect. Treat other people with respect. Talk nice to yourself; you deserve it. I look forward to hearing from you or seeing you. Keep yourself whole physically and emotionally.

P