Life is so much easier with a sense of humor.

It was a colorful car ride to St. Luke’s Catholic School that sealed the deal for me on one Oliver Harmon. It had long been abundantly clear that this young man with the colossal personality was both a force to be reckoned and just….well…a hoot! However, listening to him break down all of his favorite sports teams while razzing his cousin and my sons in the back of my minivan was pure gold. When we arrived at the gym, the Rams were at the tail end of a 5/6 “C” team game, which Oliver proceeded to call as if he was doing both the color and the play-by-play for ESPN from the back row of the grade school bleachers. I wasn’t sure whether I should attempt to “shush” him or just embrace the hilarity with which he was doing his work. I went with the latter.

Warm, sunny and welcoming, Oliver is a University of Dayton graduate who originally hails from South Bend, Indiana. He’s the brother of two great guys named Christian and John, and his little sister Lucy is a beautiful young woman. His parents are kind humans named Joe and Julie Harmon. Oliver now lives in Chicago where he works maybe for an engineering firm if my information and my memory are accurate? I feel confident that the Windy City is a brighter place for his presence.

Likability is Oliver’s strength area. His full up to his eyebrows with hot air, but you can’t help yourself and you just smile when he’s around. This is a kid I just have always liked from the minute I first met him. He’s got the gift of gab, has never met a stranger, and every sighting of this young man leaves me smiling. He greets me with a smile and a big hug, and those are two of my most favorite things!!

Today, I learned that this super young man recently suffered a torn ACL (or some other pretty serious knee injury) that is going to require both surgery and a long period of rehabilitation. This will be challenging for such an active guy, so his aunt Julie (Ferrucci) asked me to please put him on my prayer list. She knows I have a soft spot for this kid.

Oliver, I want you to know two things today! First of all, I am LONG overdue to tell you what an outstanding young man of character that I know you to be! Second, I am nothing if not a reliable prayer warrior, and you are officially on my list. Your great sense of humor will be a terrific asset to you during this rehab. It won’t be easy, but BEHAVE, and GET WELL QUICK! I am praying for you kiddo!!