What do Harry Caray, Joe Paterno, and Sally Jesse Raphael have in common? Each of those individuals was often recognized by the eyeglasses they wore. Along the same lines as these well known figures, who can picture former Southern Miss president, Aubrey Lucas, without his bow tie?
The other day I noticed that Joe Pa had surgery to correct his far-sightedness. Instead of thick lenses in his heavy plastic frames he was shown sans spectacles. His trademark glasses were donated to charity where they raised $9000!
I often have children come in to my store and ask to see which tie I am wearing that day. I have become known for my colorful cartoon ties. From Warner Brothers, to Garfield, to Veggie Tales, I own about 50 of them and the collection is growing. When I went through a stretch at the store where I deemed it too hot to wear a tie, I had customers come up and ask me where my tie was.
Like the aforementioned individuals, I have evidently branded myself with something as simple as a tie.
In the wild west of the 1800’s ranchers would brand their cattle with a hot iron. Cattle thieves would impress another brand over the existing brand in an attempt to disguise the original. There was only one way to determine if the cow or horse had been rebranded. Slaughter it. Then strip the hide and look under it for the original markings. If the cow had been rebranded the two brands would not line up underneath the hide.
All of this has led me to wonder, if a tie brands me on the outside, what is it that really brands me on the inside? Am I branded as a man of faith? A faithful husband? A loving parent? A good brother or son? The outward signs of our actions show others who we really are below the surface. Look closely at the people you idolize. How would you say they are branded? I have several Cubs jerseys hanging in my closet, but not one of them lets me step on the green grass of Wrigley Field. Don’t let outward branding fool you. Look at the heart instead.
My prayer is that, after I am gone from this earth, people talk about my true branding. But is it too much to ask that I be buried wearing one of my trademark ties?
