My son earned his Red Cap. He is a member of an after-school program called “Thursday Boys”. Thursday Boys began over a decade ago by Jim Redwine, a Fort Worth business owner that decided he wanted to spend more time with his kids. Thursdays seemed like the best day and he began a tradition of uninterrupted play with his kids in the park across from their elementary school. Other boys joined in and the group grew to an astounding 500 members.

Although his kids have grown, Mr. Redwine (as he is known to his loyal Thursday boys), continues what has become a personal ministry that promotes leadership and good sportsmanship. He’s a tough talkin, bear-huggin’ type that makes no apologies for enforcing his rules with an iron fist and a soft heart. The impact he has on the kids is extraordinary. Recently, I attended a Thursday Boy picnic. There were hundreds of children running, screaming and playing around the park. Mr. Redwine held up his hand and instantly all of the children (and the parents too for that matter) fell silent to hear what he had to say.

You see, it’s not all about play. Each Thursday Boy is expected to participate in some form of community service. Through those experiences, the kids earn the next level of cap – first blue, then red and then black. With each level comes more privileges combined with more responsibility.

For my son, earning his Red Cap was the single most significant moment of his life. He guards his cap, only taking it out of his backpack on Thursday afternoons or to show it to interested family members or friends. Little brother Luke is forbidden from wearing it - a ban that was met with screams and tears until he was given his own red cap absent the Thursday Boy logo (thank goodness he can’t read).

I am very grateful to Mr. Redwine for the time and dedication he gives to the kids in his community. He simply stepped up and participated and unexpectently drew a loyal following. He took a moment to take inventory of his life and decided to focus on the significant. He writes,

“I was grateful to feel my work has never defined me and I was able to adjust and not continue to return, expecting things to never change or somehow reverse themselves to the previous normality. The things in our lives that cannot stay the same should never hold the importance of defining us. Almost all the things that define us should constantly travel with us, making it impossible for us to feel displaced, lost or replaced.”

Blue, red, black, or otherwise, I say, “Hats off to you Mr. Redwine."

2 Comments

Sue McCoy said:

Paige, Since I am having a hard time reaching you via phone, I'll let you know via e-mail that I love you and am so proud of you. Blue cap, red cap or purple cap you are my all-time rainbow of wonderful colors. Your Mom

February 19, 2007 9:26 PM

Punky said:

My nephew is a Thursday Boy, amazing group. Good for you for recognizing what a great person Mr. Redwine is.

January 22, 2008 6:35 PM

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