There are not a lot of times that I write and thank a celebrity for being a humble, kind and inspirational person, but today I found myself thinking about Mr Walter Gretzky. His passing is a great loss for Brantford Ontario, Canada, The Gretzky Family and the rest of us, who loved and admired this great man.
I had the pleasure and the honour of receiving an award from Mr Walter Gretzky and the Canadian National Institute for the Blind way back in 2003. He was in town to host a Golf Tournament for CNIB (on behalf of Wayne) and to present myself and a couple others with an award. My award was for an ongoing Donation to CNIB.
I explained that I had a lot of friends with varying degree of loss of sight and with my job at Oland’s Brewery, I could loss my sight at any time if I didn’t wear my Safety Glasses. I saw my friends live remarkable and inspirational lives with their vision loss and CNIB was there to help them along the way.
He remarked at how impressed he was with me and my outlook at such a young age. He said how proud he was that I cared and supported for this worthwhile Charity. His kind words touched me and they stayed with me during these 18 years.
He gave me his autograph. I asked him who’s autograph was worth more…. his or Wayne’s. He laughed and said Wayne’s. I said “I’m not too sure of that” and he laughed.”
In honour of this great man and humanitarian, I am going to make a special donation to CNIB in his name. I can’t think of a better way to honour and remember him.
“Skate to where the puck is going, not to where it has been” Walter Gretzky