The MMA fighter, poet, and pianist
Generally, when I fly, I like to settle into my seat, listen to my music, sometimes write or sleep, but rarely engage in conversation with another passenger. It’s not that I’m shy or rude, I just like that quiet place on a plane…however, on a return flight from a recent trip I was pleasantly surprised by a chance meeting. (My son Chad and I spent a week in Orlando. He is a graduating from high school this year.)
After Chad and I got on the plane, I put my earbuds in and was about to find that solitude when a man sat down in the seat across the aisle from me. He was a big guy, not fat by any means, but made a comment about how tight the seat was. I laughed because I worked for this particular airline for 12 years and recognize some of the changes over time. He had such an engaging smile and personality that we immediately began talking.
I marvel at the thin threads of this unique meeting because if I had never responded to his first comment, I would not have met such a fascinating person. Mr. Jacques Diggs AKA Bang Bang, is an MMA fighter who writes poetry and plays the piano on the side. I think I laughed out loud when he told me this…not that I found any of this a joke, I was more astounded, picturing this muscular athlete sitting down on a piano bench and rolling out the tunes.
In the course of our conversation, I learned a lot about his really tough inner-city background, and how the sudden death of his grandmother affected him as a child. She had taken him in as an infant to raise him when his parents abandoned him. For someone with these difficult circumstances, it seems as though it would be easier to choose a darker path, but he has turned his struggles into a positive and healthy way of managing frustration, anger, and pain. He is a former member of the ARMY and a single father who is very involved in his children’s lives as he trains and travels the country participating in MMA fights. One specific thing that really impressed me about Jacques was that he regards his opponents with enormous respect, oftentimes making sure they are okay and even treats them to dinner after a match.
I have never met anyone like him.
The lesson for me here is…who else am I missing out on meeting? We at times live in a comfort zone and are so afraid to venture out and alter our own habits, but when we find the courage to do so, we have an opportunity to invite people into our lives and become a better person for it. I know I have and I’m glad I did. Thanks Jacques!
#JacquesDiggs- #BangBang
https://www.facebook.com/Jacques-Diggs-aka-Bang-Bang-1446043292159633/
