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They
introduced the young musician. Welcome...Mr. Patrick Henry Hughes. He was
rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair, and began to play the piano. His
fingers danced across the keys as he made beautiful music.
He then began to sing as he played, and it was even more beautiful. For
some reason, however, I knew that I was seeing something special. There was
this aura about him that I really can't explain and the smile...his smile
was magic!
About ten minutes into Patrick's performance, someone came on the stage and
said..."I'd like to share a seven-minute video titled, The Patrick
Henry Hughes story." And the lights went dim.
Patrick Henry Hughes was born with no eyes, and a tightening of the joints
which left him crippled for life. However, as a child, he was fitted with
artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair. Before his first birthday, he
discovered the piano. His mom said, "I could hit any note on the
piano, and within one or two tries, he'd get it." By his second
birthday, he was playing requests (You Are My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle
Little Star). His father was ecstatic. "We might not play baseball,
but we can play music together."
Today, Patrick is a junior at the University of Louisville. His father
attends classes with him and he's made nearly all A's, with the exception
of 3 B's. He's also a part of the 214-member marching band. You read it
right...the marching band! He's a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player;
and he and his father do it together. They attend all the band practices
and the half-time performance in front of thousands. His father rolls and
rotates his son around the field to the cheers of Patrick's fans. In order
to attend Patrick's classes and every band practice, his father works the
graveyard shift at UPS. Patrick said..."My dad's my hero."
But even more than his unbelievable musical talent, it was Patrick's
"attitude of gratitude" that touched my soul. On stage, between
songs, he would talk to the audience about his life and about how blessed
he was. He said, "God made me blind and unable to walk. BIG DEAL! He
gave me the ability...the musical gifts I have...the great opportunity to
meet new people."
When his performance was over, Patrick and his father were on the stage
together. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered for over five minutes.
It gave me giant goose bumps!
My life was ready to meet Patrick Henry Hughes. I needed a hero, and I
found one for the ages. If I live to be a hundred, I'll never forget that
night, that smile, that music, but most importantly, that wonderful
"attitude of gratitude."
I returned to Chicago and shared Patrick's story with my wife, my friends,
and our team at Simple Truths. About two weeks later, I received a letter
from a friend. He said, "Mac, here is a quote from Vivian Greene that
I think you'll love!"
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I
thought...that's it! We all face adversity in our life. However,
it's not the adversity, but how we react to it that will determine the joy
and happiness in our lives. During tough times, do we spend too much time
feeling sorry for ourselves, or, can we, with gratitude...learn how to
dance in the rain?
It almost sounds too simple to feel important, but one word...gratitude,
can change your attitude, and thus your life, forever. Sarah Breathnach
said it best...
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