Memories of Spike
When I was about 8, I collected stamps. An adult neighbor, Spike (James) Spychalski, also collected stamps, and he invited me to see his collection.
And so I saw the biggest stamp collection ever. But more important, as we discussed stamps, he talked to me as stamp collector to stamp collector, not as adult to child. And I've remembered that kindness for 67 years.
I'm 75 now, and I'm a popular guy at the local park because my little dog Wrigley loves to go down the slides.
The kids there gravitate to Wrigley, and so they talk to me. Like with Spike Spychalski so long ago, I talk to those kids, people to people rather than adult to child. And they respond. Some go out of their way to find me to tell me about the book they're reading or where they're going on vacation or what their pet did this morning.
I love talking to young kids, they are just so full of wonder. And every time I can make a kid smile, I feel like I'm repaying my neighbor Spike of so long ago.
And so I saw the biggest stamp collection ever. But more important, as we discussed stamps, he talked to me as stamp collector to stamp collector, not as adult to child. And I've remembered that kindness for 67 years.
I'm 75 now, and I'm a popular guy at the local park because my little dog Wrigley loves to go down the slides.
The kids there gravitate to Wrigley, and so they talk to me. Like with Spike Spychalski so long ago, I talk to those kids, people to people rather than adult to child. And they respond. Some go out of their way to find me to tell me about the book they're reading or where they're going on vacation or what their pet did this morning.
I love talking to young kids, they are just so full of wonder. And every time I can make a kid smile, I feel like I'm repaying my neighbor Spike of so long ago.
Lori Russell 
