Community service has some wonderful, indirect rewards - not only do you get to give to your community, but you also "get back" when you meet outstanding people or have incredible experiences.
In this case, I had an "I did not see that coming" moment as a result of meeting an extraordinary young man during volunteer efforts some years ago.
I sat with my family a couple of Fridays ago having a wonderful dinner together, which as my children grow and leave the nest is not as common as it used to be.
My children's cell phones were of course beeping and buzzing as usual. As we were finishing our meal, my son checked his messages. I could see something was wrong by the look on his face. I could tell this was a tough one.
He turned and broke the awkward silence. "Remember Ravi DeFilippo?" he asked.
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"Sure," I replied. "I was on CDO's Site Council with him." (Site council is a volunteer organization of students, teachers, parents and administrators who deal with each individual school's current issues.)
"He was the year ahead of you at CDO, an '05 grad," I added.
The sadness on his face could not have prepared me for the sad, sad news. We could not continue the conversation. The news of Ravi's tragic death in an Aug. 1 mining accident in Peru was something we needed time to grasp. We would discuss it when it had time to sink into our thoughts.
I let the memory fade to the back of my mind for a while.
The next day, I went to the YMCA to exercise and clear my head from a hectic week. Thoughts of Ravi were brought to the surface by a chance meeting with Denny Williams, a science teacher and athletic director at Cross Middle School, where Ravi had gone to school.
We exchanged pleasantries, then Denny asked, "Did you hear about Ravi?"
My respect for Denny is ever-growing, so when he said the young man was special, I knew my perspective of Ravi was correct. Denny had been struggling with Ravi's unexpected passing as well.
We talked of Ravi's exceptional attributes; both athletically and academically gifted, he also was a nice young man and a leader of his generation.
For all of us who knew Ravi, I know we all send positive energy to his brother and the rest of his family during these challenging times.
I know Ravi would be proud and excited if you would all go home and hug and kiss your children tonight.
When you do, please thank Ravi for coming into our lives.
Enjoy the journey,
Bob
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E-mail Bob Oro at northwest@azstarnet.com
