I Can't Believe What I Just Saw

A quick reflection on last night's baseball game, and a thought that comes from within.

Aaron's team played their last ball game last night. They ended up losing 5-3 but it was a fantastic ball game. Both teams played very well and played very hard. We were in New Athens, OH. Two plays that obviously stood out to me as a proud father:

- man on first, one out, Cadiz is rallying. A hard grounder to short is fielded cleany by Tommy Stewart and he tosses the ball to second. Aaron gets to the bag, grabs the ball out of the air with his bare hand. Almost in one motion he then jumps and turns towards first and throws a strike to turn the double play. Even while he was in mid-air, before he threw the ball, the opposing coach yells "what a fantastic double-play". Simply amazing to watch.

- late in the game Cadiz is rallying again and we are attempting to keep them close. Man on 3rd with one out. The batter hits a flair over the right side of the infield, close to first. Aaron takes off at the crack of the bat but doesn't seem to have a chance of getting to the ball for the catch. The 3rd base coach sends the runner from 3rd to score. Amazingly, Aaron gets to the ball and makes the catch. Even more amazingly, he then leaps and throws the ball towards third, seemingly without looking. Of course, the ball bounces one time right to the 3rd baseman covering. Double play. Phenomenal.

Why do I share these comments? Am I bragging about my son? Of course. But the main reason I share these comments is that I am blessed. So blessed. When I am in my last days and think about the joys of my life, there will be seminal events that make the list. But they will rank lower than the simple joys. Like these:

- a smile on my wife's face when I've done something to please her, or cracked a joke to make her smile. When I see her self-worth at a maximum, then I know that I am doing what I should be doing as a spouse and friend.

- an accomplishment by my children because they were prepared for the opportunity and then made the best of it. While this includes a baseball play or two, it also includes a softball play or two, a musical performance or two, a dance recital or two, a church activity or two, etc.

My fondest memories are populated by the look of accomplishment on the face of loved ones when they know that they have utilized their potential, maximized it, and humbly moved on to the next challenge.