My [favorite] Bulls Hat

It was our anniversary, celebrating ten years in the exact same place we had gotten married, same island, same hotel and same room.  Happy and determined to have a perfect day, I got up early for a pre-dawn jog.  The plan was a quick five miles then back for a beach breakfast, meeting my wife, so we could watch the sunrise.  But, the humidity rose before the sun and at about mile three, I had to stop for a quick drink.  My planned jogging route was designed so I could see and visit parts of the island tourists normally wouldn’t venture to, a little dangerous but, I figured it’ll be fine bright and early in the morning.

I’m leaning against a rickety fence, quenching my thirst when a group  of seven or eight young boys approached aged, I’d say, from around nine to early teens.  No worries to me, I’m 6’5” and 265 lbs. so, I continued to sip.  They at first gathered in hushed tones, a couple actually ventured into the store, then the youngest hesitantly approached, “I like your hat, can I see it?”  I grew up in Chicago, I know a scam when I see one; I hand it to him then they’d quickly run off.  I actually saw the positioning in anticipation, all designed by the biggest one, probably in his early teens, the one who instructed during their huddle and the one who sent the youngest to inquire.  But the truth of the situation, I was the biggest and strongest; the alpha male.

My favorite Bulls hat.  Black, stitched logos and a precise gold trim commemorating their six championships.  “See it,” I asked while removing it, “you can have it,” I gifted, as I placed it on his head.  His eyes lit up like Christmas as he quickly retreated into the ‘ooohhs and ahhhhs’ of his peers.  Even the older boy was all smiles as they each took turns placing it on their heads.

It’s the actions of the alpha male that shapes the destiny of his followers and every anniversary since, my wife and I have our special celebration but, I also include an extra smile celebrating what I hope was a changed pattern of kindness in a few young men.