We did a brief story about a young Hoosier Friday evening, August 15th, that inspired me so much I decided to blog about him.  First, though, a little background.

You may know that the RTV 6 FAN CLUB distributes hundreds of fans throughout Central Indiana during the summer.  We should never take air condtioning for granted because there are thousands of Hoosiers who suffer in the heat and humidity every year.  One person who is evidently very aware of this fact is 7 year old Jackson Truitt.

Jackson could have spent the last days of summer vacation squeezing out all the fun that time would permit.  But instead, this first grader was squeezing lemons.  He set up a lemonade stand to raise money for the RTV FAN CLUB.  He did a great job, too.  He raised more than two hundred dollars… enough money to buy 17 fans for families in need.  Quite an accomplishment for any age, especially for a seven year old.

Now that’s pretty cool!!!

I was returning from Texas a couple of weeks ago with my family.  Since our daugher is only four, we pack everyting imagineable to keep her entertained while we fly.  She even has her own bag… a very, very pink Hello Kitty bag. It has DVD’s, coloring books, crayons, magazines, stuffed animals, crackers, juice, and I’m sure a few other things I’ve forgotten. 

At any rate, it was beginning to get heavy so I told my wife that I would carry it.  So, I happily strapped it across my shoulder as we walked through the airport.  As we waited for our flight, I decided to go to the restroom.  No big deal.  I just told my family I’d be back in a couple of minutes.  But as I was preparing to walk out, I kept noticing how several guys were giving me this weird look.  I thought “What the heck is wrong with them?”  I shrugged my shoulders and tried to ignore them.. that is.. until I looked in the mirror.  And there I saw it.  That very, very pink Hello Kitty bag across my shoulder.  Three words came to mind.   Oh! My! Gosh! 

I probably would have given the same kind of look, too. 

Daddy with pink Hello Kitty bag and daughter?  Cute.

Daddy with pink Hello Kitty bag WITHOUT daughter?  Let’s just say it was probably a topic of conversation at many dinner tables and bars.  

Quite honestly, I’ve carried that bag so often I never think twice about it.  I guess a daddy does just about anything for his daughter. .. even if it does raise more than a few eyebrows.