Listen With All Your Heart
I couldn’t wait to get my fingers rolling across the keyboard. I can only hope to convey what I saw today out of one outstanding Philadelphia Eagles football player to you. My lesson I continue to learn.
My family can say we “know” Hank Baskett III, of the Philadelphia Eagles football team. No, we aren’t like his mother, cousin, best friend, Los Lobos roomate…. but we “know” him. AChrome22, my daughter went to school a few years behind HBIII in Middle School during their Clovis, NM stunts.
Hank cares. Even through his famed career, he cares. It was so evident today – we all left with goosebumps. After Eagle’s Football Training Camp, Hank saw AChrome and said, “Meet me over where you were before.” (He heard all of us screaming when he made every single catch that was thrown to him.) When he was finished official autographs, he made his way and stopped to visit with us. It was AChrome’s birthday – so he made sure she got some HBIII time and a sweaty hug 
It was after our visit that time stopped for many people including me. A woman came over to the crowd of fans hopeful to receive his autograph, “Hank. Mary’s Mom is over there. She can’t get to you, but she’d like to see you.” “I’ll be right there” Hank said as he finished the last autograph (he always tries to get them all).
Hank went over to the woman wearing #84 and they grasped each other in a squeeze. Noone else existed around either one of them despite the massive crowd of people. As the woman sobbed tears, Hank hugged her so tight, his eyes did not wander. The woman had all of Hank’s attention. It was a painful moment; yet beautiful at the same time. I felt a bit like I was invading, however, both of them had each other completely and fully on their mind. The woman was in pain. Hank was comforting her. You can see in the picture above his intense focus on her.
I want to listen in this way. I tend to get distracted, or interupt people while I’m thinking of the next thing to say. I want to listen and be devoted like I witnessed today. It was beautiful. My prayers go out to the woman – I hope she received some comfort from Hank – and that it will continue to get better for her. I hope more than myself went away being touched by the focus of listening and compassion.
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Kim, what a heartwarming story. There are some big hearts out there, aren’t there?
Thanks for sharing.
Sherry
@sherrybaker (twitter)
VERY cool story. Sometimes we do just need to stop and listen.
There are some people who have such a gift with this, whether they’re born with it or learn as they go along. Hank sounds like a good example all the way around.
Sherry – There are, and I’m happy to meet them along my way!
Ginger- It’s a good thing to remember!
Sarah- You are right! I try and fail all the time. But I’ll keep trying!
I’ve thought of this a lot more today.
You know who else has this gift… Jeff Turner of Real Estate Shows. He listens like you are the only person for miles around him! It’s a great gift I admire!
Thanks for bringing those moments back to me in the rush of life. Intense… I wish the world could witness the “other side” of an NFL great as we did!
Kim, what a special day you guys had at training camp. It is SO good to see a talented athlete that keeps it humble and sincere.
Kim,
I am glad I got to see this this time around. What a beautiful story. It slapped me in the face as I am guilty of sometimes not listening fully.
So glad that there are those who take time.. thanks for reminding us of the good in people.
Sandy – I’m grateful for that as well.
Sharon, Chris, Debbie – Glad you stopped by. I’m hopeful he will remain heartfelt and humble despite the celebrity’ism
Kim, My name is joanne Cannon I am the person in the picture at EAGLES training camp with Hank Baskett. I just happen to be looking at the computer tonight to see what I could find on Hank. I just happened to click on this page and saw this picture of Hank and me. I was telling Hank about the passing of my daughter Dawn. Please Please get in touch with me.
Joanne! It was wonderful talking to you today. I’m so glad you shared your story with us – and that you reached out to call me. The world is a good place
Peace to your family, I know you miss Dawn.
this is just amazing. joanne cannon is my bus driver in the morning and she is a great person. I had just learned today about her struggle and what a great life her daughter had. we had a great conversation this morning. I loved to listen to her story as she told me. god bless joanne, and hank, for being such a wonderful person who cares. and god bless Dawn. she is being taken care of by god.