The day has come I always wished for. Well, one of the things I’ve always wished for. Nosey is playing baseball this year. Every year he has said he wanted to play but then when it came time for sign up, we either didn’t have the money at the time or he chickened out. But this year, we got him signed up. I have always been a baseball fan. Collecting BB cards and love to watch the game. I had an old glove and ball, but I never really played. I tried once to play on a softball team, but realized I wasn’t any good and was just too shy. I went to one practice and never tried again. But I never got rid of the love of the game.
When I got pregnant with Nosey, one of the things I wanted was for him to play baseball. I couldn’t wait until he got old enough to play. But his desires didn’t match my own. Now, things have changed and I am so glad I didn’t “make” him play because I wanted him to. But because “he” wanted to.
Now here is the thing. He isn’t the most athletic kid. More intellectual I guess. So the first practice, this being his first year to play verses the other kids who have played before, they put him in center field. Ok, I knew that was coming. But they, the coaches, didn’t put him out there and forget about him. They worked him just as much as the other kids. Of course on the first day, he gets a little tired of standing waiting his turn to catch something, decides to kneel down. Then I heard one of the coaches tell the other in a low voice, “center field”. My heart dropped, thinking “oh no, they will hit it to him and he won’t respond.” Oh my gosh. That is just what happened. Me being the over protecter, was just going nuts inside. But, he actually did pretty good getting the return, and he hasn’t been unprepared since. Oh and he sleeps with his bat. Every night, right beside him.
I haven’t stayed for the other practices, thinking, I kinda need to let go a little, that maybe mom being there the whole practice is distracting to him. So Noisy and I have taken him, and come back a little early to pick him up. You know so that I don’t seem to be hovering. Anyway, the proud moment that I have been waiting for came last night when we were leaving. The coach had already praised him a few times when he didn’t think I was listening. But before we got into the car, he said “Nosey, good work man, your really doing great.” Oh my heart dropped. The look on Nosey’s face was unforgettable. Just kinda, “yeah, thanks Coach.” No emotion, no happiness, no elation, nothing except…….”yeah, thanks Coach.” As though it wasn’t a big deal. But, on the way home, I looked into the rear view mirror and could see his eyes shining, and a small, but proud smile. Oh, there went my heart again. You go Nosey, You go boy.
Oh I can’t wait for the first game!