Day 177: Dust Devil Difference

I am back! It has been exactly 10 days since I have been able to write and I will fill you all in on my incredible experience a little later! To give you just a little insight on my crazy schedule, I'll share with you my past two weeks in a nutshell before getting to the goods (this could be a long one).

About two weeks ago, I finished school and drove home to work that evening as Promotions Intern for the Tri-City Dust Devils. After the game, I drove back to Spokane to run in the Color Run the next morning. Once finished with the race, I drove back to Tri-Cities to work for Dust Devils that evening. I got to spend Father's Day with my dad (YAY), but had to work again that night. I wasn't in Tri-Cities long because that same night I drove back to Spokane to fly out to Maui to work with Habitat for Humanity the next morning! I got to Maui and had a glorious time, but yesterday it was back to reality. The EWU Maui team and I left Maui at 10PM their time and landed in Spokane at 10AM our time. From there, I drove home and had to work a game last night! It felt as those history were repeating itself because today is ironically my dad's birthday and another day to celebrate with him (YAY). However, today was also cut a little short because it was game two of the Everett series! And now my friends, I sit here and we are all caught up. I know what some of you may be thinking, "Kailee that's a lot of work," but truth is I love what I do!

So now, here is today's story. I began working at Dust Devils four summers ago as the Mascort (escort to the mascot/ NOT the actual mascot/ aka Dusty's Bodyguard). In this position, I worked with kids, I roamed the whole stadium and I found something that really interested me. So far, this is the type of 'job' that doesn't actual feel like work. I go every day looking forward to what is going to happen during the game. You have the players who put on a good show, the full time staff who are incredible at what they do, but most importantly you have the people. Without the people, we, the staff and players, would have nothing. The attendees are what make everything special and meaningful.

For the four years I have worked there, I have seen many faces come and go, but there is one gentlemen who really sticks out in my mind. This gentlemen's name is Russ and he is there in section D each game. And every game, I know he is there not because of his clothes or his seat, but because of the large and genuine smile he greets me with EVERY single time! I have become so fond of him that I make a point to take a moment to stop by and say hello not because I was asked or feel the need to, but because his sincerity is what motivates me to do more. I guess I'll never know what impact that could be  having on him (because I know he does appreciates it), but if that sincere smile is any indication then I know I am doing my job. There is even a large possibility that he is impacting me in greater ways than I am impacting him. With that said, I think often times we don't realize how much that short conversation could mean. I have said it a 100 times and I will say it once more, it is truly the little things that make a difference!

Dust Devils baseball prides themselves on making the audience's experience one to remember. We do what we can to make a great game for everyone and to bring people back. People like Russ, who make our job mean something.

Until tomorrow,

Kailee

P.S. Happy birthday Daddy! I love you.