Sunny Summer Afternoon

Throwing the van doors back and dashing into the frigid air conditioned house, my children quickly dropped their heavy book bags onto the floor next to the shoe rack in the playroom floor. Before running outside again, each child quickly flung their shoes off in order to lace up their cleats. Then, after gathering their baseball equipment, they made a mad dash to the back yard ready for an afternoon game of family baseball before I called them in for supper. Catherine would be the pitcher while Blake would crouch behind home plate as the catcher. Brad caulked the bat ready for Catherine’s first pitch. As the ball sped across home plate and slammed into Blake’s glove with a hard smack, Blake yelled strike. Brad looked down at home plate and then ducked his head as if ashamed.

Catherine yelled, “It’s okay Brad. That was only the first pitch.”

Brad stepped up to home plate, kicked at the dirt a little with his feet as if to make a place for himself, and then caulked the bat again to get ready for his second pitch.

Again the ball slammed into Blake’s glove. This time Brad just hung his head for a moment. Looking out the window, I could see a small tear trickle down his face.

Catherine again yelled out to Brad, “It’s okay Brad. You are still learning. Just keep your eye on the ball. I’ll bet you’ll hit this one with no problem.”

Brad carefully lifted his head and wiped away the tear. Again he approached the plate, kicked a little dirt to mark his spot, and caulked the bat in order to get ready for his final pitch. As Catherine threw the ball, I stood at the window held my breathe and prayed that Brad would hit this one. The ball approached the plate and you could hear the bat come in contact with the ball. Blake and Catherine cheered as Brad jumped up and down with excitement. Brad paused for a moment in amazement before he ran into the house to tell me all about it.