Thanksgiving
Thought I would share a story I posted on the SuperTopo thread about my dad:
I remember a few years ago November when my dad still owned Eastside Sports, an employee told a customer on the phone that our winter hours were 7 days a week until 5:00pm, and they could come on by during those hours and pick up their rental equipment. Problem was, the day scheduled in the notes happened to be Thanksgiving Day, one of the only days of the year Eastside Sports was closed. My dad worried and fretted about what to do, because these customers were planning on picking up their rental equipment to go on a big adventure, and he thought their whole trip would be derailed if they stopped by that day and Eastside Sports wasn't open as promised. Finally, he posted a note on the door that said something along the lines of, "CUSTOMER NAME, you made reservations to pick up your rental equipment today, we are closed, but call store owner James Wilson." Sure enough, an hour or so before Thanksgiving dinner, they called, and my dad ran down to the store, opened the doors especially for them, and made sure they had their equipment and were on their way. He came home jazzed about the experience and the customer's upcoming adventure. For me, this epitomized my dad as a business man - genuine excitement about customer's adventures and and caring about every single individual who stepped through the doors. I know Eastside Sports still carries that spirit today.
This story has been on my mind a lot lately as Thanksgiving approaches. Of course I miss my pops so much. He was completely healthy and had recently been to the doctor for checkups. The team at Renown in Reno said they did not think he could have done anything different to prevent this stroke. All of which is to say, get out there in honor of my dad. He loved the Eastside and he loved being outside, especially with family and friends.
Climb on!