Motivation Mojo > A Call to DJ

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The following is an email I received years ago but it’s worth sharing because of the incredible experience that followed. And if you’re like me and have kids, you’ll be tickled twice.

Dear Mr. Croce,

My name is Brian and I’m 10 years old and I live in Lansdale, Pa. My friend DJ is recovering from an operation on a brain tumor and he will be sick for a long time from his medicine to take away his cancer. He just got home from the hospital. Can you call or visit him maybe when you are not that busy? DJ would love it so much and it would probably make him feel a lot better too. Your fan, Brian.

Wow. A brain tumor. How in the world was I going to help this kid? Sure I spent years rehabilitating athletes’ bodies, but a child with brain cancer, that’s a different story. Still, a phone call was certainly an easy enough operation.

So I had my assistant Sue e-mail Brian to get DJ’s phone number. She gives me the number and I post it on my to-do list. I think to myself, I might as well call now and check this item off my list. I love checking off to-do list items. Sometimes, after I’ve done something, I then add it to my list, so I can check it off!

I dial the number. A lady answered and I asked to speak with DJ. She said, “Wait a minute.” As I waited, I felt a slight regret for making this call, thinking I could’ve been completing something more important. Finally, I heard a mumbled “Hi.”

I asked, “Is this DJ?” I heard a garbled “Yeah,”

I said, “Hi DJ, this is Pat Croce.”

His voice brightened and he asked, “Is this really Pat Croce?”

“Yes,” I replied, “and I’m calling to see how you’re feeling. Your buddy Brian e-mailed me about your recent brain surgery.”

“I’m feeling good, Pat!” He sounded perky.

So I asked, “Are you back in school yet?”

He said, “No, not yet, but soon I hope.”

I proceeded to tell him that he was my hero because I only had surgery on my leg, and if the doctors went into my brain they’d have to remove all the rocks first. He laughed. Then I asked him if he was a Sixers fan, and if he’d like to go to a game with his family when he was able. He said he’d love to go to a game.

I said goodbye and asked him to put his mom back on the telephone.

Hi mom returned to the phone and sounded upset. She sounded as if she was crying. She asked, “Is this really Pat Croce?”

“Yes, I am.”

Then she said, “Pat, that was the first sentence that DJ has spoken since his surgery two weeks ago.” A chill ran down my spine. All the air went out of me. She then proceeded to tell me that his doctor did say that his speech, eyesight, and coordination should return as his brain heals. I’m telling you that I believe that phone call must have been medicinal or magical or something of a miracle.

Emerson said it best: “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know when it will be too late.” How true. -- PC