Editor’s Note: The USTA website is pleased to present freelance writer Bob Carson and his popular “Outside the Box” features. This monthly series is a menu of outlandish proposals presented with a wink — but the purpose behind them is serious. The views contained in this column are that of the author alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions or views of the United States Trotting Association.

During this season of joy, hope, happiness and sadness, at some moment we all reflect on people who have traveled before us. Family and friends, young and old, kind or crotchety, they all played a part in our lives. Like empty chairs around the Christmas dinner table or faint images in the flames of a flickering fireplace, they are there.

If we close our eyes, we can see their faces. If we turn off our cell phones and listen, we can hear their voices. This column is about three voices that are no longer on our side of the frosted windowpane. They still speak to us and have wisdom to share.

Almost 20 years ago, my wife, Sue, and I visited Meadowcroft Village, a history-themed farm in Western Pennsylvania. We roamed the historic bridges and schoolhouse and enjoyed the afternoon. We wandered into a building where a kind, energetic, older gentleman popped his head out of an office door. He introduced himself as Del Miller.

At that time, we were very casual fans of harness racing. To show how casual, his name only vaguely registered. I remember Mr. Miller was reorganizing his office, opening boxes filled with framed photos and plaques.

Del began showing us his treasures. Every box was filled with memories for him and wonders for us. A long parade of movie stars, politicians, sports figures, presidents and horses climbed out of those cardboard boxes.

To be honest, his talk about famous races and famous horses went over our heads, but we could have stayed and listened all day. His enthusiasm was amazing. He spent at least an hour or so sharing with two strangers his farm and his open heart. Before we said goodbye, he asked for my name and phone number.

A week later on a Saturday morning, the phone rang. When I picked up and said hello, a sunny voice said, “Good morning Bob, just want to thank you and Sue for visiting my place, I really enjoyed the day and…” We talked for a half-hour. The fact that this famous person took the time to call still astonishes me.

A decade or so slipped past, by that time my knowledge of harness racing had improved to the point of writing offbeat articles, carving out a niche as an outsider looking at the sport. One afternoon, I found a postcard-sized envelope in the mailbox. I noticed the return address was California. Not knowing anyone in California, I assumed the delivery was in error.

It was not. Inside was a handwritten note which consisted of a few words of encouragement, sort of a go get ‘em or stick with it theme. The note was from a person named Alan Kirschenbaum. By this time, the internet was ramping up, so it did not take me much time to learn that Alan was a real player in Hollywood show business and a huge harness racing fan. I sent him a thank you note the same way, using a stamp, a pen, and paper. We never met in person.

One pre-cell phone year, Sue answered the phone while I was not home. When I returned she reported, “I just had the nicest conversation with a man from Arizona named Stan,” she looked at her notepad, “Stan Bergstein.”

My eyes bugged, “What did he want?”

She said, “I don’t think he wanted anything. When I said you weren’t home, we just talked.”

“About what?”

“I’m not sure, lots of things, a little about horses, but he was just so warm and friendly, I could have talked to him all day.”

She winked and added, “He’s my new best friend.”

I honestly don’t remember why or how Stan got my name. Perhaps something I wrote, perhaps he wanted to share some advice from one of the finest writers our sport has ever seen. Who knows? I never had the honor of meeting him or talking to him, that was Sue’s good fortune.

What is the message that I am reflecting on from these three wise men on the holiday season?

I believe that the voices of these three people, and many of their ilk who preceded us, set wonderful examples. These men were big deals in our small sport, but they each “Paid it forward” before the phrase became popular.

They communicated with a complete stranger and made the stranger feel welcome. They “did” something. They tried to plant seeds. They wanted us to grow. Every one of us should listen to these voices from the not so distant past. We should take heed of their paths and omit no opportunity to reach out and evangelize.

We should never miss an opportunity to follow their footsteps and be happy warriors in the battle for the sport we enjoy. We need to follow the examples from these wise men on the other side of that frosted windowpane. Harness racing will be better for it. So will you.

Merry Christmas!