The special delivery

The month of April was always a fun time of the year for pop because of the simultaneous start of the baseball season and Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Yankees are doing pretty well and the Rangers appear to be primed for a long and successful run this postseason, so that’s something that surely is making him grin.

Anyway, a nice story was recently brought to my attention by my sister Lorin, and mom, and I just had to share in my blog because it just supports something that we already all knew. That my father, George Morreale, always left a lasting impression on everyone.

I’m sure stories such as this will come along every so often until the day I see him again, but it’s always nice to hear them nonetheless.

Over the weekend, my mom walked down the driveway to accept mail from the mail carrier driving by instead of having him place it in the mailbox.

The mailman looked at my mom and asked, “Morreale? Is this a valid name for this address?”

Mom, now puzzled, looked at him and said, “Yes.”

The mailman then asked, “George. Was that your husband’s name?”

The mailman, whose name is Al, went on to say how much he misses talking to my father and how great a man he was. He said he was the “nicest guy he had ever met on his mail routes in 22 years.” Al did the route past my parent’s house a few years ago and, at that time, had a long ponytail. He has short hair now. He just recently began running routes past the house once again.

Because he was talking so much about dad, mom wasn’t exactly sure if he knew of the news that dad had passed away. But he did. He said he misses him and was sorry to hear about him passing away. He told mom how upset he became when he heard of the news.

Pop would usually walk to get the mail every day since he was usually either outside doing something or looking out the window. When he did, he always took the time to talk to the mailman. Funny how those brief conversations could be so impactful.

When mom started to get a little emotional, Al apologized and said he was sorry for getting her upset. But mom just told him that it was nice that he took the time and told her about how he felt about dad. I couldn’t agree more — it was such a nice story and it made me very proud.

Being friendly sometimes has lasting benefits and, well, memories.

Courage

I’m actually reading the biography of former Yankees pitcher Jim Abbott right now.

Jim Abbott

The memoir, entitled “Imperfect: An improbable life” is a great read chronicling the life of the Michigan native born without a right hand. It tells the story of how he persevered despite the disability to not only become an Olympic gold medalist but ultimately toss a no-hitter at Yankee Stadium in September 1993.

I mention this because I remember how excited dad was when Abbott tossed that gem. He called me and said, “It couldn’t have happened to a better person.” Interesting because here was a guy who had gone 26 years without a right hand to that point, throwing the game of his life.

But the thing that impressed pop the most, was “the person” and not so much that pitcher with one arm mowing down the Cleveland Indians that day.

Abbott’s story is one of courage and determination, two areas that dad always stressed.

In case you didn’t know, February is regarded as ‘Hockey Is For Everyone’ month. Basically, it’s a way for Americans and those living in the United States to celebrate the great sport of ice hockey and what it means to all of us.

As such, NHL.com has plenty of interesting features on players who have overcome obstacles to persevere in life. I had a feature on the incredible job Newark East Side ice hockey coaches Keith Veltre and Dennis Ruppe have down with the Hockey In Newark program.

One of the graduates of that program, Kevin Lopez, happens to have an inspiring story to tell. Lopez couldn’t skate or even handle a stick when he joined the program as a fifth grader. He was cut from various soccer programs but was determined to find something that would not only appeal to him, but instill some sense of confidence.

“I met coaches Veltre and Ruppe; they greeted me and gave me my first set of equipment,” Lopez told me. “But the first year was dedicated to mastering the art of skating. At that the same time, my coaches were teaching me life skills, such as perseverance and determination.”

Lopez’ mother told him he needed to maintain a GPA of 4.0, which he did. In fact, Lopez was valedictorian of his senior class at Technology High School in Newark last spring.

Where is he now. He’s a freshman at Princeton University.

“I hope to one day return to Newark and be an active citizen and help those who require help in Newark,” he said.