Remembering a Man We Called Tommy

Blessed are Those Who Encourage Us

My decision to attend Abilene Christian College was due, in part, to a man who had already graduated from that institution by the time I started.  As I thought about him recently I reflected on a text from scripture. 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. – Philippians 4:13. 

This text came to my mind following Hunter Bales’ graduation from Basic Training.  Hunter is my grandson.  A part of the ceremony included the recital of the Soldier’s Creed, which includes the Warrior Ethos.  It reads as follows.

“I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit

I will never leave a fallen comrade.”

They recited it with enough volume to drown out the noise of a freight train if one had passed twenty feet away.  Of course, they weren’t talking about Philippians 4:13, but Hunter seemed to take it that way.  He views his entry into the military as a ministry – or as he put it – “Something I’m doing for God.”

It was thrilling to be in the presence of my grandson and share his enthusiasm, his optimism, his sense of purpose, and dedication to a noble cause.

For some reason, it started me to thinking about that person who played a part in my eventual decision to attend ACC.  His name was Tommy Smith.  Tommy was actually a nickname.  He was really Charles Smith, but nobody ever called him anything but Tommy.  To me Tommy epitomized determination, never quitting, never accepting defeat.  

I first got to know Tommy when I was a small boy.  He was about five or six years older than me.  And I watched him at church every Sunday morning. I looked up to him.  I liked everything about him, even the way he combed his hair. Tommy was athletic.  He quarterbacked the football team when he was in high school.  He was headed for a college football career – a “can’t miss” superstar.  Then there was a tragic accident in which Tommy lost his right arm.

But Tommy Smith wasn’t a quitter.  I remember watching him on the school ground just days after the accident.  He was throwing a baseball to friend as hard as he could throw it with his left hand.  He had lost his throwing arm.   Later, I participated in touch football games with him.  I’ve seen him throw an accurate sixty yard pass with his remaining hand.  I’ve seen him tie his shoes with one hand.

But he didn’t stop there.  He went to college, and graduated with honors.  He became a doctor.  Until he was well in his sixties he ran in long distance events, and usually won the competition for his age group.   During all these years, he took time to encourage me.  He would spend time with me, especially when others were putting me down.  He worked hard to instill the “can do” spirit in me.   I had a chance to talk with him, not too long before he died.  I told him what a great influence he had exerted in my life.  He was flabbergasted.  He said he had no idea that I viewed him that way. 

I was just thinking that what a great blessing it was to have Tommy Smith in my life.  He left us too soon. There aren’t enough people like him.  I hope there’s a Tommy somewhere in Hunter’s life.  Come to think of it, I hope there’s a Tommy in your life too.