The Only Real Hero I ever knew…

Maybe it’s just me…

But I think everyone needs a hero.

To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of Children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden or a good name; to know that one life breathed easier because you lived…this is to have Succeeded.
                                             Ralph Waldo Emerson

I found this on a cold blustery wintry day, just a few days after my grandfather passed away. It was scribbled by him on a scrap piece of paper that I found in a crumpled discarded box that belonged to him. It was just a simple handwritten statement that was tossed aside in a box to be taken away with the next load of trash.

At the time, I did not think too much about this little note. I just folded it up and stuck it in my pocket. I was too busy trying to go through the trash that was left behind after the funeral by relatives as they “went through” the house that my grandparents built and lived.

Standing there in the middle of the basement, the hard evidence of a life finished was piled up around me. I slowly began to realize that my life was changing. Everything that I had grown up with was now going to be somehow different. The path of adulthood that seemed so clear just a few days before was now clouded with doubt and fear.

I lost my Grandfather. He passed away on Christmas Eve 1986. His heart simply gave out…it was his time. I would like to say that I accepted the fact that he was gone with reverence and understanding – but I can’t. His death came as a crushing blow to me. It was sudden and I was up in Michigan when I should have been at his side.

James Russell Lee holding Nathan David Lee - Just before Christmas 1986 - The last picture ever taken of him.

Only a few days before he was holding my first son in his hands…now my son would be cheated from knowing the man that made me proud of who I was.

I want all that read this to understand, I am a “LEE”. A simple statement of fact. I take extra pride in my name and my heritage. It is something that I will always cherish and I will not tolerate anyone who would knock it or cut it down. This was instilled in me as a very young boy. My grandfather would say to me, “What’s your name?” and I would reply, “David”. He would repeat it to in a louder voice, “What’s your name?” and I would reply again, “David”. Acting like he was somewhat irritated, he would reply again, “NO! What is your name David?” At last, I would reply, “My name is David Lee!” He would then look me directly in the eye and say, “Don’t you ever forget it!”

The message was sent. I was a “LEE” and being a Lee was something that was to be proud of.

One of my fondest memories that I have with him was a trip he and I took to the grocery store in Norwalk, Ohio when I was about 10 years old. As we were walking up and down the isles, trying to get everything on the list he had. He leaned down and whispered in my ear that he wanted to introduce me to this man that was walking down the same isle. He shook hands with this tall lanky man; it appeared as if they knew each other.

My Grandfather said, “Mr. Grove, I would like to introduce your to my grandson, David” He looked at me and said, “David, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Robert Grove.” I shook his hand and I was wondering why my grandfather was showing so much respect?  Why did he use the words, “Mr. Grove” and not just call him by Robert since they appeared to be friends?  I didn’t pay much attention to rest of their conversation. We ended up actually going to a little diner and had lunch and a cup of coffee with “Mr. Grove”.

It was in this diner that I had the realization of the significance of this chance meeting with “Mr. Grove”.

For it was there I found out that Mr. Grove was Robert Moses”Lefty” Grove…
He was a hero to my Grandfather, a baseball legend, and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was one of the greatest pitchers to ever play the game. He won 300 games and struck out the side with 9 pitches – not once but twice, he accomplished this.
Lefty Grove has led the league with the lowest ERA more than any other pitcher (9).
Once in the ninth inning against the Yankees, with a runner on first, a one run lead and no outs, Lefty struck out Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Bob Meusel on 10 pitches to win the game.

It was a very special day for my grandfather. He was able to have a cup of coffee with a legend that he called a hero. We sat there for an hour or so; eventually, it was time to go our separate ways. As my grandfather waved goodbye, I think I saw a glimpse of the young man he once was. He was reliving a part of his childhood.

I waved goodbye to my new friend “Mr. Grove” and suddenly he was gone.

Some people pass through your life and disappear in a flash. You get over it.

But the good ones… The real ones… The ones who count….stay with you for the long haul.

The thing is, after all these years, I couldn’t tell you what we talked about.

What do I remember, is sitting in that diner, being young, having lunch with the only real hero I ever knew…

My Grandfather, Jame Russell Lee. Number 1.

My Hero: James Russel Lee (1942)

Who is your hero? 

I believe that everyone needs one.

But then again, Maybe it’s just me…