Bottom of the Ninth #4 - The Zach Mayo Story

The Zach Mayo Story

by Tom Walters

My mom has a travel light philosophy that says if you take half as much crap and twice as much money with you when you go places, things will usually work out.  Kary, Levi's mom doesn't subscribe to Grandma's travel light doctrine.  A few years ago, Kary was headed to watch Levi play in a baseball tournament.  Admittedly this was one of those beautiful Colorado Saturdays when sunscreen and a down parka each had merit.  Kary arrived at the parking lot of the ball park with her folding chair, a couple of blankets, a first aid kit, a cooler with breakfast, lunch, dinner and a bedtime snack.  She had also packed water, gatorade, muscle milk, fruit, powerbars, bubble gum and sunflower seeds.  Lest I forget, she had her sunscreen and a heavy coat.  Urban legend says that she had a generator, blender, margarita mix, a Jimmy Buffett CD library and a Parrot with a vocabulary to heckle the umpires.  In all fairness I should tell you that she intended to feed 12 hungry baseball players, their parents, their siblings and anyone else who might be feeling a bit peeked or was in the 303 area code.  To her credit, if Team Colorado Rawlings played well, and advanced through the bracket, this could be a long, long day.

That's where Zach comes in.  Not knowing that Kary was likely to have a piano with her, Zach greeted Kary, "Hi Mrs. Walters, what can I help you carry?"  Ten minutes later, their mule string was packed and ready for the trek into the Grand Canyon also known as Clement Park.  Once situated, Kary went to find Kathleen Mayo, Zach's mom.  Kary bragged about Zach to Kathleen that he'd been so kind and had offered her help with her heavy burden.  Mrs. Mayo said that Zachary, as she calls him, ought to behave that way, he gets good values instilled at home and good values reinforced at school.  Of course Kary needed to know where Zach was going to school...  Turns out Zach Mayo is a big reason Levi Walters attends Valor Christian High School.  Zach's simple act of kindness (if you can call packing a piano simple) was selfless and made a big difference in Kary's day and even more significant was the impression he made upon Kary.  You see, it's the little things that matter in life.  A simple hello, holding the door for someone, offering a place in line, driving courteously, offering kindness and help really does matter.  As athletes we'll want to pick each other up, God knows that the game of baseball will give plenty of opportunity for humility.  I bet even Albert Pujols appreciates hearing from a teammate "get 'em next time".

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.  John 13:15        

Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action.  How can we love others as Jesus loves us? By helping when it's not convenient, by giving when it hurts, by devoting energy to others' welfare rather than our own, by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back.  This kind of loving is hard to do.  That is why people notice when you do it and and know that you are powered by a supernatural source.

I am proud to call Zach Mayo my friend, he is a fine young man.  Zach, your help did not go unnoticed and I see God as your supernatural power source.