The Kat House

Every now and then, I come across a caring, unselfish soul who reminds me that there is true goodness in this world. Last September, it was the guy at Dollywood who walked by and noticed my brother Jake and I taking photos of each other. He offered to take a photo of the both of us together. Call it my overly sensitive nature, but I was so touched by this man’s kindness.

I recently had another experience that is, without a doubt, the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for me.

Many of you have read my previous posts about my favorite baseball player, Jarred Ball of the Tennessee Smokies. I recently got an email from Jarred’s father, Randy. He had stumbled across some photos of his son that I had posted on my blog. He could have very well looked at them and then passed right on by, but he didn’t. He took time to send me a personal email, thanking me for being a fan. He also offered to send me a set of his son’s baseball cards!

Randy and I have been exchanging emails since that time. He informed me that Jarred was about to have shoulder surgery, and after the surgery, he sent email updates on his son’s condition. This man has been nothing short of a godsend. He has shown me that nice people really do exist, and that new friends, who are anything but random, have the most unusual ways of showing up in your life.

When I got back to Knoxville on Sunday evening, there sat a letter from Randy in my mailbox. Enclosed were three Minor League baseball cards of Jarred Ball - a 2003 South Bend Silver Hawks card, a 2003 Midwest League All-Star Game card, and a 2005 Tennessee Smokies card. All three had been autographed by Jarred. Being the fan that I am, it truly made my day. But what made me smile even more than the cards was the kindness of the man who sent them.

Randy, thank you for everything. I will always treasure your friendship. I hope that my random acts of kindness will someday have a similar impact on a stranger. And if I’m lucky, maybe I will find a new friend the way that you found me.