What began as physical therapy has turned into a mission for Jimmy Adams, Jr.—one wave at a time.
Adams, 57, a 20-year resident of Hollister, is a retired journeyman electrician who worked for NASA’S Ames Research Center doing preventive maintenance work. He was injured on the job and had to retire. Suffering from extreme back pain, in 2008, he decided to improve his health by walking. On average, he walks four to five miles a day, with longer jaunts of up to eight miles on what he calls his marathon day.
As he made his circuits of the town, it wasn’t long before people began to take notice of the big man with a broad smile and some started greeting him along his routes with waves and honking horns.
He has gained so much local notoriety that people have begun to comment about him on the “What’s Happening in Hollister” Facebook page and have dubbed him “The Waving Man.” From the many positive comments, it would seem that his wave and smile brightens up many a commuter’s day. When told of his fame and nickname, he laughed and said he had tried to find the Facebook comments, but had been unsuccessful, so far.
“I get joy out of it,” he said about the reaction he has been getting from people who pass him by and wave back. “I thank God for giving me something to do. The smile and the energy that comes from me is from God. I just want to impact someone’s life. I’ve had people stop me on the side of the road and tell me ‘you’re such an inspiration.’”
Adams said that some people even start crying as they talk to him, but he feels uncomfortable because he is also weeping, but not always from emotion, but because he suffers from glaucoma.
“I’m crying sometimes because I’m happy. Sometimes it’s the glaucoma, but it’s hard for people to tell,” he said with a laugh.”People are wondering what’s wrong with me because they think I’m crying, but I’m just so happy being with them.”
Adams said he has been stopped and people have given him jams and jelly and even free passes to workout centers.
“It’s just been a blessing all around that people are being encouraged around the town, just by a wave and a smile,” he said. “I have shirts that I wear that has a hand in various colors on the back that represents all of the ethnic groups and the words, ‘Wave & Smile Ministry.’ When people see me and the shirt they wave and honk because they know what I stand for. It’s very exciting and that’s what makes me wake up in the morning because of the love of people and I’m encouraging them.
Each morning he is a walking ministry of one, but he said he wouldn’t mind it if others joined him.
“It would be nice to have somebody take up the cause and walk in other areas,” he said.
When he isn’t walking, Adams said he attends college classes, working toward an associate’s degree in social science behavior. He also dabbles with the guitar, sings a bit, and bakes.
“I have a little company, Uncle Jimmy’s Pound Cake,” he said. “I set up in front of Rite Aid sometimes. On Sept. 30, I’ll be in front of Lucky’s for a bake sale.”
Adams good-naturedly said he has walked so many miles, he has worn out his heart.
“I have a pacemaker in me right now because my heart had so much love in it, it wore out,” he said. “But I feel great.”
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