Game Ball
“Tonight’s game ball goes to……” You could hear a pin drop. It’s not often that 9 and 10 year old boys will sit still for anything, but for the coveted “game ball” ceremony, they sat motionless, waiting for the next words out of the coach’s mouth. The boys weren’t the only ones on pins and needles. I mentally went through the game that had just transpired: “Ok, Tanner went 3 for 3 with 4 runs batted in and played some great D; that has to put him in the running…..Oh, and he scored twice. Surely that got the coach’s attention?!?” The coach paused for dramatic effect and then spoke two of the most beautiful words in the world…..”Tanner Peacock!” You would have thought he had just won the most important award in the world….well, he did. It was the most important award in the world……his world. All season long he had hoped to hear his name called, and every time it wasn’t I would walk him back to the car, arm around him, encouraging him to keep working hard and his day would come. I have to admit, that elusive game ball became the most important award in my world as well. I heard a piece of advice years ago that has served me well in parenting: make what is important to them as important to you as that person is to you. Read that again; it’s kind of deep to get at first glance. I’m not saying that you become a “stage Mom” or that you live vicariously through your kids, but get involved! I am amazed at the amount of kids that have to play their games, perform their recitals or sing their concerts in front of other kids’ parents. Where is their mom and dad? Work, play, civic duties? If you are one of those, I have a word for you: Get a different job! Work and money will come again, childhood doesn’t!
“Work and money will come again, childhood doesn’t”
Convicting words, we all struggle on this one… or is it just me?
well said, but remember the struggle that it is to practice, and remember also that if you were to lose everything this world can afford you would still have that family, cherish them with all your heart
It’s just you Lis.
Great story Jason, keep them coming!
Great story Jason,
i am not an Alabama fan, but i love good coaching and this quote from Bear Bryant stands out to me:
“It’s not the will to win that matters-everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters”
i never had a father at my ball games (he commited suicide when i was 7), but i was a stand out player. please don’t take this as bragging, i was just one of the few kids at that age that was willing to prepare, b/c i was the player without that Dad that was the 3rd base coach, the pitching coach or head coach. Growing up i saw the dad take his son out to the parking lot with his hands around his shoulders giving him the love we all need at that age. I admire that and wish the father the best of luck with his son…i know when my boy (3 years old now) is old enough to play ball i will be the one hugging him no matter if he is the child that gets the game ball…
and congrats jason, i am sure that tanner was well deserving
one last quote:
“The will to win is worthless if you do not have the will to prepare”…i think Christ was the same way with us, thankfully He was willing to prepare to take on all of the world’s burdens…man what a heavy ld
thanks,
Dru