Photo courtesy of Mick Haupt @rocinante_11
Growing up, this was my daily summer routine:
A bike ride to 7-11, grab a super-sized Slurpee, then buy some baseball cards.
Over time, I collected an enormous amount of cards and carefully organized them by team and placed them inside two shoe boxes, one labeled National League and the other American League.
I studied these cardboard masterpieces and memorized the stats of favorite players. I had every card, especially all the valuable rookie ones. The collection stayed in my boyhood closet for years.
And then one day, I drove off to college.
When I returned for a holiday, I noticed something mysterious: my baseball cards were missing.
After an investigation, I discovered my little brother had sold — yes, SOLD — my beloved collection to another kid. And for an obscene low amount.
To my brother’s defense, he was young and didn’t think I cared about those cards anymore. But still…
A piece of my childhood. Poof! — gone.
An Unexpected Impact
Many years later, I gave a speech and used this story as an illustration. I joked about it and somehow tied it to a point I was making.
A few days after, a huge package arrived for me. Inside the box was a mountain of old baseball cards, most of them 15-20 years older than my original collection and probably more valuable.
There was a note from a man who had heard my speech and wanted to donate all of his childhood cards to me.
A lump formed in my throat as I stood there, speechless.
I didn’t ask for baseball cards. I had no idea my little story would move someone to an act of such generosity.
But it did.
And I still have those newly adopted cards to this day, in my closet. Sometimes I look at them and remember back to the carefree days of 7-11 bike rides and slurpees.
What’s the point of this story? I’m not sure, but here’s something to think about:
Stories move people in powerful, often surprising, ways.
Tell your stories, sprinkling them like seeds into the ground. Share your truth.
You never know what might happen.
Your Business Story Matters
A simple tale spurred someone to an incredible act of kindness.
Imagine what your brand's story could inspire.
We’ll help you refine your unique story, then place it in the right places to reach the right people.
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian, co-founder of Genie Jar Digital. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I recently released a young adult novel called The Jungle Within.
