Up Here on Cloud Nine

Up Here on Cloud Nine

I hope some of you who read this can get the chance to join me on this “Cloud Nine” I’ve experienced in the aftermath of my selection and induction into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame over the past weekend.   My father taught me that as I aged I shouldn’t even buy green bananas, so the idea of belonging to a Hall of Fame of the status of the one I joined last Friday was nothing more than a pipe-dream.   A review of those who had already been chosen and those who were to join me on Friday pretty much suggested that I was headed into a new league.

I’d already experienced seeing some ugly scenes when individuals moved out of their league and such a scene was not what I had planned for my life.

But it wasn’t that way at all.  Everyone was so good to me.  The majority went out of their way to speak well to me and the rest probably couldn’t get through the crowd which gathered around me.  It was something out of a storybook.  My whole family joined in, which made it all so special.  We all want our families to share our good times and that worked perfectly for me.

The rain, which fell outside during the ceremonies and slightly when we exited the building, failed to dim the lights of my parade.  Heavy rain didn’t occur until just before I reached my home in Hot Springs some time later.  By that time our track crew at Oaklawn had sealed the track and, in spite of over two inches of rain, we were able to see fast going on Saturday.  It seemed like everyone was doing things right that day.

My family had a great day together, starting at the President Clinton Library for lunch on Friday afternoon, and ending with Sunday, when they all headed out to their respective homes and I went to work, glowing in the spirit I shared with them all weekend.  My neighbors had created a welcome sign and placed it in an obvious location.  They also purchased a congratulatory cake which was placed in a safer spot, away from the weather.  A very generous local restaurateur catered our Saturday evening party and we enjoyed the kind of time that we could only dream of having.

Since then only nice things have happened to me.  The City Directors asked me to attend their Tuesday meeting where they could honor me as a Hot Springs citizen who accomplished something extraordinary.  My close friends with Relay for Life, the charitable organization for which I so willingly volunteer, honored me at a Tuesday meeting.  And a group in Hot Springs Village were equally kind in a talk I gave on Wednesday.  That talk had been arranged late last summer, well before the Hall of Fame Induction was even a consideration.

There was one smart Hall of Famer who put it all into perspective.  

“Don’t forget,” he advised, “Memories are short.  Eventually many of these people will forget much of the impact you’ve had on their lives.  But the Hall of Fame will acknowledge you each year.  That will be a legacy onto which you can always hold.”

It’s always good to keep those thoughts in mind when you’re going through a time like I have had during this Hall of Fame episode in my life.  My moments of fame have depended on racing and racing will continue as if the Hall of Fame moment didn’t occur.  As we gather for races this week and through the remainder of the live season, it’s important for me to remember that I got to this point because I got the opportunity to be the racecaller at Oaklawn Park. 

With that in mind, I noted that today we released the news that we are increasing purses for the remainder of the season.  Success, which is noted here by a purse increase, has been the hallmark of Oaklawn since my arrival in the mid-70s.  Even when we went through tough times, the horses were the reason for the season.  They remain so and I am anxious to get back to them.

I’m very thankful and honored by the personal kudos.  I understand there may be more coming.  But I will not forget that I’m at this point thanks to the horses at Oaklawn who got me here.  Racing has been the strongest commitment of my adult life.  How lucky I have been to find something which has been a labor of love.

Cloud Nine is headed back to the stage of reality.  I seriously hope others can have the same experience.  It sure makes it easier to get up in the morning.