NOTICE: Postings in this journal are intended for adults as they may contain adult situations and language.

My sons are on baseball teams. My youngest plays t-ball and his last game of the season was tonight. He received a small trophy and was beaming from ear to ear. I'm so proud of him because of his attitude. He just wanted to have fun!

But, if I were to pick one moment tonight that will forever hold a place in my soul, it happened during the game of my oldest son.

First, a little history...

Last year, he played t-ball. His coaches and the wives of the coaches are some of the nicest people in this world. When my son chased butterflies instead of fly balls, the loved him all the more for it. The said he had a spirit all his own and loved to watch him play. It is because of their love towards him, the game of baseball is his life.

This year, he plays on a machine-pitched team. He's had a rough time this year and wanted to quit. I guess if he had pushed it, I would have removed him. But mostly, he wanted to quit each time he went to bat. The reason? Because he hadn't connected ONE SINGLE TIME. Each time at bat was the same as the one prior...3 swings and out. He came so close so many times, it looked as if the ball was invisible and simply went straight through the bat.

Tonight, his team played against the Cubs. The coaches are the same coaches my son had last year. They were so happy to see him but noticed he didn't seem to have the same spirit he had last year. I told them it was because he hadn't hit a ball yet this year. They all smiled and said he would hit a ball this game because they were all going to pray for him. Tears filled my eyes as I watched the coaches and wives of the other team pray for my son to hit the ball.

As you have probably guessed by now, my son hit his very first ball this season, about 3 hours ago. He got to first base just 3 seconds too late but it didn't matter. The look on his face was that of a kid who just hit his first grand slam.

And when it was time for him to go outfield, he skipped and smiled all the way out there. As I he stood out in the field, sweat dripping down his red cheeks, he kept giving me the "thumbs-up" and smiling and blew me a kiss or two.

They lost the game by one run, but who cares?

My eyes were on my son, and my heart was with His Son.

~E~






Be sure and look for my stories in the following anthologies:

THE HOLLER – The Fear Within – 3F Publications

THE FEAR – Femmes de la Brume – Double Dragon Publishing

CHICKEN – Scary! Holiday Tales to Make You Scream –
Double Dragon Publishing

FOR THE LOVE OF FRIENDSHIP - Tales From the Gorezone - Apartment 42 Publications


All titles can be found and purchased at www.shocklines.com

www.elizabethpeake.com