This past weekend, we celebrated my cousin with a beautiful and fun “bridal tea.” Everyone showed up in dresses and hats, adding a touch of elegance to the event. My grandma and I took a quick trip the night before to pick up a few things for the shower, which was held at The Wine Bar in Atchison, Kansas. For those who don’t know, Atchison holds a special place in my heart. I was born there, but more significantly, it’s where my grandpa spent his career teaching and coaching football at Maur Hill Mount Academy. Though he passed away in 2012, his legacy lives on, especially through the lives of his former players and students.

You might wonder how I know his memory still makes an impact after all these years. It’s common to receive kind words and hear stories soon after someone passes, but what makes this different is hearing those same stories twelve years later. And let me tell you, if you ever have a story about a loved one who’s passed, share it. It’s a gift to the family, a reminder of the ripples their life left behind.

After we dropped off everything for the shower, we decided to take a moment for ourselves and enjoy a glass of wine—Cabernet Sauvignon for one of us, Moscato for the other (I’ll let you guess who had which). We’d spent the day setting up in the sweltering heat at the October Festival, so a break was much needed. As we sat there, a man named Chris approached. He recognized my grandma and wanted to let us know that he played for Coach Flynn, my grandpa, and that he still holds onto the lessons Coach taught him.

Chris, who’s now in his 50s, was visibly emotional as he shared how much my grandpa had meant to him. He said he wouldn’t be the person he is today without Coach Flynn’s influence. One memory in particular stuck with him. During a tough day before an away game, my grandpa looked at him and said, “Listen son, you get to decide how this goes. You get to decide what happens from here because it all depends on the belief in yourself. I believe in you, but no one else can make things happen for you. You decide whether to believe in yourself or not. You decide what comes next…and you don’t quit until you reach that goal, whatever it may be.”

It felt like a scene straight out of a movie, complete with an inspiring soundtrack as the player rallies his team to victory. I don’t know if they won that game, but Chris told us what happened in his life after that moment. He realized the only thing holding him back was his own self-doubt. Once he removed that mental block, everything started to click. As he told his story, he pointed to his head and said, “Coach Flynn crosses my mind at least once a day, reminding me that I can do anything I put my mind to.”

Before Chris returned to his group, celebrating their high school reunion, he left us with this: “You know the people in movies or books that are portrayed as inspiring leaders? Coach was mine. When people talk about impactful teachers or coaches, I get to say, I had one of those. And I honestly wouldn’t be who I am today without his voice inside my head reminding me that I am the only one limiting my potential.”

I wanted to share this story as a reminder of the impact we can all have. You never know who might carry your words or actions with them for years to come. I hope we can all be a positive ripple in someone’s life, inspiring them to believe in themselves and reach their full potential. Have a wonderful weekend, and as always, happy reading.

—Katie