My Life With Superheroes

 

The movie “Sky High” came out in 2005. It wasn’t popular and I can’t say I know of anyone who watched it and enjoyed it – except me.

It was the story of a high school for superhero kids. On the first day of school, students were asked to audition with their most super-human skill and course assignments were made accordingly – either hero preparation or the sidekick track. By the end of the movie, it is revealed that superheroes and sidekicks are both needed to conquer the bad guys.

I have been secretary/administrative assistant/executive assistant to engineers, counselors, real estate managers, ministers and a couple of bishops. But all my titles could easily be translated to sidekick.

In the high school counselor’s office, I was the first face kids saw when they came in for a schedule changes or scholarship application and while I handled the paperwork the counselors asked, “And how does that make you feel?” as they comforted, encouraged, loved and nudged young people toward success. Lives were changed - right, Mif Sayles?

When computers were just gaining momentum in offices, Rev. C. H. Stutes told me he thought they were just toys. I assured him Robert Stutes (his brilliant son) was using a computer and C. H. reflected a moment and said, “Well, for him it is a tool and that is different.” So, I learned to use that tool behind the scenes, and he never knew my computer made him more effective as a preacher and pastor.

When Bishop Huie graduated from seminary, the photographer mandated that coats and ties be worn for the group photo. When I saw the picture of her in a coat and tie, I did wish I had been her sidekick then, but the years we had together provided me with plenty of opportunities to ride in the side car of her speeding motorcycle.

I was pleased to speak at a dinner honoring Jim Foster and shared stories of being his sidekick in the many adventures we had conquered together. And when he was in the hospital, I was able to spend an afternoon at his side once again as we talked of our friendship, and he prepared for his last challenge.

And there was Dr. Lamar Smith. When we worked together, he decided what was needed and I was there to make it happen. Like a true superhero, he drove a sports car and was always a soft-spoken gentleman. After his retirement, I received calls from time to time asking about hotel accommodations for a conference or seeking contact information for old friends. He recently mailed me some journal pages containing stories about his life. I decided to type them up and we now share in a new joyful project as we mail each other pages and talk often. When I signed on as Lamar’s sidekick it was for life.

I sometimes wonder if I could have worked harder to develop superhero skills, but as Sean Astin says, “The Sidekick business has been good to me.”

 

NOTE - Sean Patrick Astin is an American actor, director and producer. His acting roles include Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.