A Perfect Season

The ping of the ball flying off the bat filled the air. Then a moment of silence. I watched and the ball seemed to hang against the cloudless blue sky. Suddenly I realized the path of the ball. It was headed right towards Isaac in left center. I could feel my heart beat and I was terrified to watch but my eyes remained glued on Isaac. The phrase, "I'm the worst player on my team!", tugged at my emotions because those were the exact words that Isaac spoke before the game. Words that came out of no-where, but a feeling of despair that weighed heavy on our minds. Here he was, one on one with the ball, a moment that would define the season. The glove snapped shut. Slowly the glove opened, the ball was nestled between the leather walls, fitting snugly within the pocket. My heart started to beat again, a sigh or relief. The excitement of the moment literally frozen in time. You see, Isaac was so excited he didn't know what to do next. Suddenly coaches yelled, "Isaac throw it in!". Time still frozen. A few more seconds of uncertainty and finally the ball made it back to the pitcher. The play officially over and I could finally enjoy being the proud parent. In my mind the game ended right then, but the reality is there was still one more out that had to be made. Honestly I don't even recall the last out, I was to busy still being proud. I knew this moment would ease Isaac's pre-game thoughts and offer nothing but confidence for next year.
Baseball finally ended. I thought I would be excited because baseball dominates so much time in the spring. This year it felt like we were constantly running. The hardest night was Wednesday. Kelly had 2 practices at 2 different locations at 2 different times, I was gone at work and Josie was a busy, not always so patient 2 year old. So you can image the chaos that ensued. But Kelly and I always miss the season when it is over. It is a lot of work, but watching our children is so enjoyable for each of us. This year Isaac's team was perfect, 16-0. Personally, for me, the perfection will always be in that season ending catch.

For most, summer begins. Kade's friend however remains in the hospital. We think about this child everyday. We hold onto every encouraging piece of information that comes our way. We feel for the family. We hope for the best. Kelly and I try to read Kade and understand his emotions. He keeps his feeling so hidden. I think he does not know how to handle them, so he keeps these emotions under lock and key, never fully facing them, but subtly understanding them. Today Kade found the key, and relaesed these emotions into an ear to ear smile that lifted the spirits in the room and left Kelly with a tear in her eye. Apparently Kade' friend has progressed enough that his parents offered him the chance to have a visitor. When asked, he requested Kade. An honor Kade will never fully grasp. An honor insignificant to mere fact that Kade's friend is finally winning the battle with his illness. Childhood friendships. Kindness, compassion and love. Christ-like behaviors that we should truly understand and appreciate. Friendships change with time, so the final outcome of this relationship cannot be predicted, but I believe the time Kade spends with his friend will follow Kade for the rest of his life. This moment will impact who he is today and who he will become tomorrow. Very few 10 year olds prepare to say goodbye and then, suddenly are invited to experience a miraculous hello.