I am not a positive person by nature. I know it is a bad character flaw.  

God has allowed a lot of wonderful things to happen to me. But no matter how great things are I am always waiting for the other shoe to drop.  

But I have some reasons to be positive this week based on some of my experiences at the 84th annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration.  

The Walking Horse Report publishes every day during the Celebration. This year the Shelbyville Central High School volleyball team has been handing out the magazine at both day and night classes.  

On the first morning class session seven players were expected to work inside Calsonic Arena and all seven were there. Try getting 100 percent of volunteers to work an event this day and time.  

But the icing on the cake was when I informed one of the volleyball players, I did not need a copy because I already had one and she replied with a cheery “yes sir.”  

I wished I had asked her name, but I was so stunned by the use of “yes sir” I wasn’t thinking clearly. How refreshing a response.  

A couple of nights later another player asked me at one of the entrance gates on the south end of the arena if I needed a copy of The Walking Horse Report.  

I told her I didn’t, and she responded with “have a blessed evening.” That has become somewhat of a cliché response, but I honestly believe this young girl meant it. It made my night.  

I don’t know Shelbyville Central High School volleyball coach Caitlin Boleyn. Well, yes, I think I do based on the way her players interact with the public.  

In a time when one-on-one connections are made with difficulty her players showed respect and maturity.  That comes from family background, but also from coaches. A job well done to all concerned.  

One night I made a purchase at the Community Lions Club food booth. I tried in vain to balance my food on the way to the press box, but after walking a few feet I lost my basket of fried pickles. I know, not the most nutritious choice, but I digress.  

One of the high school students working at the booth saw what happened. She immediately came over and offered to get me another order without charge. It was obviously my fault, but she wanted to help me out.  

Again, another great moment and kudos to the students working in the booth from Community High School.  

The quality of the Tennessee Walking Horses presented at the Celebration is always impressive, but this time around I was even more impressed with the members of the younger generation I met.  

There is hope for the future.