Don’t Keep It Hid

I plopped down on a park-style bench after a routine appointment. Waiting for my ride gave me time to spend with the book I’ve been reading.

As I pulled the book from my bag, a plaque on the ground caught my attention. It read, “In Memory of Michael R. Redmond, MD” (Years of patrolling a classroom honed my excellent upside-down reading skills.)

I began to open my book but something nudged my consciousness. I tapped the late doctor’s name into my phone’s browser app.

Names are hyperlinks to stories

When you think about it, everything has some name with a story. The streets, the school, the town, the ballpark…

The late singer Jim Croce penned a hit song that rose to #10 nationally called I Got a Name. Jim Croce's tunes filled the house growing up. My parents had many of his albums.

Like the pine trees lining the winding road

I got a name, I got a name

Like the singin’ bird and the croakin’ toad

I got a name, I got a name

(Many people misunderstand the song title as Movin’ Me Down the Highway)

Even this bench has a name attached to it: Dr. Michael R. Redmond.

An eye doctor for kids

Dr. Redmond accomplished much at every stage in his life (the narrative is here). A quote about his life’s work as a pediatric ophthalmologist stuck out to me.

The most rewarding aspect of his work has been 'helping kids see.' Dr. Redmond said, 'If you take a 70 year old and give that person better sight for ten years, that's a good thing; if you take a five year old and give that child 80 years of vision, I think you've done something extra.'

Let that sink in.

Nothing is lost in serving anyone of any age. From the nursing home caregiver to the neighbor who visits with an elderly friend and every age in between, we all play a role.

The memorial plaque simply showed me that Dr. Redmond’s path to working for kids is like teachers and parents pouring their life’s work into the youngest generation.

It takes effort, thick skin, and the ability to be thankful in most situations.

Find a story today

To you teachers and parents reading this: as you shift into the summer phase of life and recharge those mental and emotional batteries, think about Dr. Redmond’s simple quote.

Do yourself a favor: notice a name today and see if you can find the story. The street sign, the park bench, or even the employee of the month poster at the local coffee shop; there’s something to appreciate.

Transfer five minutes of scroll time to searching the name. Heck, when you find the story, drop it in the comments below or tell me in a message.

Closing with Croce

If your day involves the road, invite Jim Croce onto your playlist and take a few nuggets of wisdom from I Got a Name.

I got a Name, I got a name

And I carry it with me like my daddy did

But I’m livin’ the dream, that he kept hid

Don’t keep it “hid.” Get out there and find a name!

Movin’ me down the highway

Rollin’ me down the highway

Movin’ ahead so life won't pass me by