Letter to James, October 2022 – On Serving
Dear James,
Your grandmother and I were at the airport in Zurich recently after a two-week trip that included hiking in Scotland, a visit in Switzerland, and spending some time in Bavaria to attend The Passion Play in Oberammergau. And as I sat in the lounge at the Zurich Airport Hilton on the eve before our return to the United States, I slid my right hand into my pocket and felt the Euros I had not spent. So, I thought what should I do with these extra 35 Euros burning a hole in my pocket? But the question quickly faded. But it would return as I watched our server hustling to make everyone happy.
James, as you will find out, reading is a beautiful thing. So, I always bring a good book on these vacations. Like a wonderful companion, it helps shorten the long trips and the waiting that accompany these excursions. And if that dark beast called insomnia comes calling, a good book usually chases it away. So, I brought “Tommy’s Honor” on this trip. By recounting the fascinating story of Old Tom and Young Tom Morris, considered the founding father and son of modern golf, the book sheds light on why St. Andrews is so special and what makes golf the greatest game ever played. For anyone who loves golf, this book is a must read. I hope you read it one day. And I have your great grandfather T.C. to thank for giving it to me before I left for this trip.
In 1860, just before the start of the American Civil War, a few Scots got together at Prestwick Golf Club on the western shore of Scotland to play the first Open. During this era, the “golf pro” also served as club maker, ball maker, groundskeeper, and caddie. It was a difficult job with low pay. And although the “gentlemen” of the club admired the golfing skills of professionals like Old Tom Morris, people in Tom’s position were still considered lower class. And this irked Young Tom, known as Tommy, who unlike his father, would be able to make a living playing golf without having to caddie for these gentlemen, who were not only inferior players, but many of whom were also good-for-nothings who squandered their family fortunes.
What especially irked Tommy was watching his father, whom he worshipped, kneel to tee up these gentlemen’s balls. But his dad was unfazed. He said there was an art to creating the proper sand tee for each individual player and he took pride in it. And there was no shame in kneeling. He went on to tell his son, “Had not our savior told his followers to render unto Caesar?” And he continued, “After all, it was not his immortal soul that bent, only his knee.”
This great man – a golf innovator, a pioneer of professional golf winning 4 of the first 8 Opens, and a prolific golf course designer – did not mind kneeling to tee up other men’s golf balls. He loved serving others and would do so until he passed away in 1908 at the age of 86, outliving his wife and all his children. When I was with your father in St. Andrews this past July watching the 150th Open, we had the opportunity to lunch at The New Golf Club, which overlooks the 18th fairway and green, and which Old Tom Morris helped found. He was a remarkable man.
Later during our trip as I sat watching The Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany, I could not help but recall Old Tom Morris’ statement to his son as I watched The Last Supper scene. In that scene, the dialogue in the play has Judas confronting Jesus with his belief that the only way to change the social order, which included persecution under the Romans and corruption among the Jewish leaders, was to have Jesus convince the Jewish people to revolt against the current power structure.
Jesus deflects Judas’ criticism and prepares to wash his disciples’ feet. The disciple Peter objects. Jesus then says, “You call me lord and Rabbi. But a lord is not greater than a slave … whoever wishes to be great among you, let him be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you, let him be your slave.”
Tom was telling his son the same thing, but in a different way. Do not be afraid to serve. Embrace it. Take pride in what you do. And do so with a glad heart. No matter how simple or lowly the task may seem, do what you can with what you have, right now.
When I worked as a banker in downtown Richmond, no person embraced this attitude more than the gate attendant at the entrance to the building’s parking deck. She embraced her role and I always looked forward to her cheerful greeting. Like anyone who embraces serving others, she transcended her role. And this can happen no matter how significant or insignificant the role. During the late Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, which occurred on our trip while we were hiking in Scotland, one television commentator stated that Queen Elizabeth transcended her role as Queen partly due the fact that she was a true servant leader.
And when I look back at the many jobs I had in high school and college to make enough money to barely get by, I remember approaching each of my jobs with an attitude of doing the best I could and being grateful for the opportunity. And when it involved serving others, I tried to do so with a glad heart, even if some of the people I served did not appreciate it, or at least did not seem to appreciate it. James, I now realize that some of those people are the ones that need your glad heart the most.
So, as I sat in that Hilton in Zurich at the end of our vacation watching our server work diligently to make everyone as comfortable as possible, I saw him perform his work with a glad heart. I also noticed that the lounge was becoming very full. But he worked only harder and seemed to be even more joyful! And I was not the only person in the lounge who noticed it.
I saw a couple walk in. At this point there was no free table. As one patron watched our happy server apologize to the couple, I saw her go up to our server and offer to move her chair so that the couple would have a place to sit. I am quite sure that this patron offered to do so to be helpful our server. We all wanted to help him.
James, at this point your grandmother noticed that I was becoming emotional. I told her why. I explained to her that he reminded me of myself when I had similar jobs. So, even though we were enjoying our wine, we left to create more space for others to help him out. On our way out, I went up to our server and thanked him. And the answer to the question of what I should do with my 35 Euros became obvious.
James, always do what you can with what you have, and do it then. And do it the best you can with a glad and grateful heart. If you follow the examples of dutiful Old Tom Morris, who was also a dedicated husband and father, the always smiling gate attendant, and our unflappable server at the Zurich airport, you will have few regrets.
With much love,
Papa J
