One of the most incredible things about South Dakota is it’s people. They are the life and blood of what makes it great. I have had the honor of getting to meet a few of them.
I remember when I was a kid sitting uptown at the Rec Bar. My dad was bowling there. I was allowed to go as a treat to watch. This was usually accompanied by some quarters for arcade games and a pop. So I looked forward to going with him. As I walked into the area by the bar to finish my pop. I sat down and looked around the room. I noticed all the can’s. The bar signs. And whatever else was going on.
Then a voice almost seemingly yelling asked “What are you doing here! This is no place for kids!”
I almost fell off my chair. “I’m sorry. My dad’s bowling and I…. I’ll finish. I’ll leave and….” The man towered over me. He also looked to be angry.
“Sit down! What’s your name?” “My name’s Jeremy.” “Most people call me Blubber. Pleased to meet you Jeremy. Who are your parents?”
I peeked up long enough to see my dad laughing at me out of the entryway to the bowling alley. He then went back to bowling.
“My parents are Marlin and Kim.” “Oh yeah? Never heard of them.”
It was finally at this time when I realized he was messing with me. As my dad referred to him as “Uncle Blubber”. I saw them talk several times and had heard stories about him.
I heard stories of how he used to reload shotgun shells that would leave bruises on your shoulder. Stories about chewing out kids for messing around. Stories about a mean dog he had. He worked for the city, and there was a story that he got sick of people asking him what he was doing once when he was working on a water pipe. So, he grabbed a duck decoy and threw it in the water he was stepping in. When the next person asked him, he told them he was duck hunting.
Most of all though, I heard he was a pillar of the community that watched out for people. And tried to help where he could.
“Do you like chislic Jeremy?” ” Yes I do.” “Good. Give us two dozen. Looks like that pops almost gone too. Let’s get you a fresh one.”
Over the next hour I got to hear some of his stories. And he asked a lot about me. How I liked school. If I was going to hunt when I got older. What I liked and did. It was a conversation that made me realize he had a heart of gold. He made me feel like he genuinely cared about me.
It wasn’t long after Blubber had passed away. That night is still as important to me today as it was then. Blubber showed me what I wanted to become. And made me feel special.
I truly think he was the South Dakota Spirit. And what it should be. In a world where chaos seems to be ramped. What does it hurt to stop and make just one person feel special? At the end of the day, it’s not going to matter what you did or how you did it. How you will be remembered, is how you loved. And who loved you.
I consider it an honor to get to meet the people I do. Blubber was one of them.