When I stop to ponder what it means to be a Father at Fifty (plus) years old, certain imagery materializes in my mind. My second son Josiah, telling me he sucks at baseball at 10 years old after a tryout at the local park. I wanted him to play because, well, because, I played. I loved the experience of being a part of a little league team. Trying on the uniform the night before the first game and visualizing heroic exploits that snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Blasting towering homeruns that easily clear the ivy-packed left field fence of Sportsman's Park. I still relish my best worst memory (or is it my worst best memory?) Showing up to the park at 9 years old hoping I had made the All Star team. Nevermind that
I tried to foil the coach's effort at sparing us humiliation by proclaiming that if he didn't call us the night before, don't come to the park. It was all too easy to simply take the phone receiver off the hook, sparing me the anxiety ridden anticipation. Upon being told that we weren't selected for the team, me and my childhood buddy, James Lofton (yes, that one) commiserated together through our tears while playing a game of strikeout between ourselves while the selected few practiced on a field a few feet away.
Which brings me to my youngest son Cyrus. I could sense the fear in his voice while bodly proclaiming his hatred for anything remotely related to baseball. My wife, being sensitive to not wanting him scarred for life by being forced to play, quickly supported his decision. Experience taught me that his passion for the sport could not of so easily reversed itself. And watching a young man battle Leukemia, bone marrow proceedures, chemo and its resulting side effects, all the while maintaing his upbeat and positive attitude, only solidified my position that my son needed to face his fear. This young man, Bebop as he is called, is the son of one Cyrus's coaches. His constant presence at practice, exhorting and encouraging, has served up benefits not limited to the 11 and 12 year olds. The meticulous approach he takes to scorekeeping and fulfilling his duties as the PA announcer are truly inspirational to all priveleged to observe. There are far more important things in life than being on the winning team, clutch hits, and outstanding defensive gems. Watching how this one family has handled the most difficult of situations, reminds me that one of sports most compelling lessons is to never give up. To continually press toward the mark. No matter how dire the circumstances may appear...
