Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

 

School’s still in session and softball has begun. Throw in dance recital practice and it makes for an interestingly busy season for my granddaughters. My role as cheerleader (and chauffeur) has never been as active. I applaud their accomplishments as much as their effort. I leave it to the teachers, coaches and parents to know when to offer further instruction and additional motivation.

This is also the season when my husband’s “What’s for dinner?” question is answered with “Whatever’s at the ballpark.” I know better, but I’m happier when I’m eating hamburgers and nachos while watching the girls play softball.

There’s just something about the sport that I love. You start from home with the intention of rounding the bases. To do so means you must face whatever the pitcher throws at you as you attempt to bat that ball as far away from you as possible. When you do, your teammates cheer as you venture away from home and run out to make your mark. All the while, the opposition tries to put you out of the game. Your goal? To make it back home safely, where your teammates run to greet you.

Throughout their lives, long after they put away the gloves and bats, I pray my granddaughters are surrounded by mentors who coach them well, peers who help them achieve their goals, and friends who cheer them on.

And may their nutritional choices exceed mine.

 

Ronny Michel can be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.