Epiphany
Almost everyday my family is out on some Little League baseball field; practicing, or playing a game, or playing Sandlot….or just running the bases for the heck of it.
You see, my husband grew up in a small town in Northern Louisiana, and that was his childhood past time. I watched the Washington Redskins growing up so…I wasn’t so much into baseball.
Well after years of watching our son play Little League and,...now our daughter (and she’s one of the towns best pitcher for her age)....I’ve grown to love the sport.
I really saw the significance in the dedication with the sport when we went up to Williamsport, PA two years ago to watch the Little League World Series; and let me tell you, those boys were unbelievable! I think Japan won that year….
My epiphany came one day when I was thinking…..
kids in sports is great….they learn to win, to lose, they interact with all walks of life- people from different parts of the town(s), they make leaders or make players to learn to trust in their other team mates.
I wish I had play competitively in a sport growing up. It would have taught me to stick it out thru the tough times, it would have prepared me that there would be ugly / unfriendly (people that don’t play fair), it would have taught me a whole heck of a lot.—-the 2 things that happen in every game…...to win or to lose, life’s biggest lesson.
If anything happens to me, I know my husband has prepared our kids really well, ” in the game of life”!
What an astute observer you are, Michelle. I was born too soon for Title IX; I had almost finished college when girls’ sports were elevated to the importance of boys’(1972). I am jealous! Girls were not taught to play sports when I was young. I see young women now, who can throw, pitch, run, hit, shoot hoops, make layups. At my high school, girls were not allowed to use the varsity baseball diamond because we’d ruin the mound, and the bases were too far apart for us. We played an awful version of basketball—half court. It was boring. We weren’t allowed to do pull-ups (really) out of fear that we wouldn’t be able to make babies. I still don’t understand the reasoning. Maybe our uteruses would fall out? There was an organization called the Girls’ Athletic Association. There were two or three multi-school tournaments every year. By this I mean each tournament was held in one afternoon, after school. I envy girls today, who are taught to use their bodies.
Go Jenna!
Posted on 
Those were the days, I grew up in the 70’s and I do remember things like….police officers & firemen….were men jobs. When women wanted to have that type of career it was unusual. Unless they had “desks jobs”. LOL. As a society we have moved in a direction to enable young girls to grow up with a little
bit of self confidence, which is a positive thing :). I see my lil’ 8
year old daughter so comfortable on the mound- makes me so
proud. I would have never done that, at that age. Even at 44, I wouldn’t have the courage. :).
Posted on Yes, playing sports IS great for kids, IF they have great coaches/leaders. Love it! Thank you for sharing your insight. I am not here all the time, but do like to check up on people and to throw out questions, etc. I am so happy you are “back.”
Keep us posted on the games!
Posted on Hi Michelle-
At the risk of sounding creepy, I wanted to let you know that I read your whole blog and think you’re pretty neat. That is all. : D
Posted on Awwwe Kerry….thanks! :). Thanks for giving me an extra reason to smile….
I just wanted to say hi and let you know I was happy to see a post from you! Sending you hugs!
Posted on What a great post. It is so good to hear from you again and know you are doing okay. Hugs and prayers.
Posted on I’m glad your kids are getting the chance to play sports…it’s especially neat that your daughter is so involved in baseball. Owen’s team has played against one that has two girls on it, and they are both way better than the boys!
Posted on Thanks for this Michelle.
Like Andrea I grew up before Title IX. Our lame-ass high school coach once told me, “Girls don’t play sports!” Then he told me to get off the tennis court, or I’d have to do Detention.
,..Hope he was still alive to choke when Serena Williams won the Open.
The older I get, the more I like baseball ….It’s one of the few things in life that takes as long as it takes, regardless of time.
Sure, sometimes it’s like watching paint dry …but most of us could use a little of that kind of calming zen-mind slow down.
You can never post too much about being thrilled to see your kids playing ball. I love it.
Hugs, Nicole
Posted on Michelle,
I think you don’t give yourself enough credit. KNOCK IT OFF!
When I first joined this site 1-1/2 years ago, your blogs made me laugh so hard I had to use my asthma inhaler! I THANK YOU for that!
You were hilarious while STICKING IT OUT through your chemo, surgeries and everything else done to you—-when you were not getting a lot of emotional support from family. You held your head high, even if you didn’t feel like it.
I remember the surgery around your throat . . . that one scared me. Selfishly, I didn’t want you to “lose” because you made ME laugh (in addition to the fact you have kids, a family and seem genuinely nice).
You are HERE. Your TOUGHNESS and smiles teach your kids MUCH. Yes, sports is great. Playing sports has helped me through life a lot. Nevertheless it is not the only method that lessons in life are learned. Do not downplay the teachings and gifts you have given your children. That is a direct order! :O
Carol
Great story. This makes so much sense.