4 minute read
Dreams Do Come True
Dreams Do Come True
Amanda Mortensen - Submitted
When asked to speak about a man that means so much too many, it is hard to put into words just what he means to everyone who meets him. He has done so much for so many people. My Grandpa is the hardest working, caring, trustworthy person. He had never gone to an NHL hockey game in his almost 92 years and my dad mentioned this to me, and I thought I knew everything about that man.
Well, I talked to my co-worker Lydia Pawluk about it. I mentioned that I was hoping to take my grandpa to an Oilers game if I won the bid in our silent auction and I told her why. Without moments pause she was in touch with Vision Credit Union’s Vice President Chelsea Bromley, and they got me tickets to take him to his very first NHL and Oilers game.
When I spoke with Grandpa that evening and told him, he was so happy, excited, and appreciative. Fast forward to that night and he was at my place early in the day and ready for the game. My best friend brought over her Oilers jersey for him to wear and we were off. We went in a snow blizzard. We were NOT missing that game!
We arrived safe and sound and he was completely overwhelmed by the crowds and noise. It was so loud. We stopped at the Oilers shop and picked him up a Jersey with his favorite players name (Hyman) on it. I will never forget his face when he realized he was getting his very first jersey. Then off to the gates to go through security and as I told him that he would have to put his wallet in the basket, his face went white, and he had a scared look on his face. He always carries a pocketknife with him. He had that knife for 40 years of farming…. And I asked if I could run it back to the car and he said no, if they take it, they take it. He was just too nervous. So, we went through, and he handed his knife in and never saw it again. He was sad about that, but that all changed when we got to took seats. I took some prime photos and then we sat, and he got to see his boys play and he was even more excited because he saw Hyman play and Score.
During an intermission, a cameraman sat right next to us, and I looked at grandpa and said no better time than the present, and he told me to get his sign. So, I grabbed it out of my purse and the cameraman said I am going to put him on the jumbotron. The pictures I have don’t do it justice, but that moment from when the cameraman said get ready Clarence, to the crowd standing on their feet and the wave and roar was magnificent. The absolute joy and happiness on that man’s face will live in our hearts forever. Dreams do come true.
Clarence Smith. The man, the myth, the legend.
Amanda Mortensen is a staff member with Vision Credit Union in Vegreville and graciously agreed to share her special story with News Advertiser readers.
