Little Prayers

Yesterday afternoon was a beautiful, sunny day. I passed several fields where baseball players and their coaches were beginning their "spring training" in anticipation of the upcoming season. Dads were out playing catch with the smallest of kids. It brought back a lot of precious memories. For a period of time, when the boys were small, baseball was our life. If they weren't practicing with their team, or playing games or tournaments, we were going to Tulsa Driller games, or taking vacations planned around going to a ballgame. I love baseball. My wedding to Mike had to be planned so it wouldn't coincide with the World Series. Chris' due date was pretty close to the world series and I knew that I may not have a lamaze partner if I went into labor during a game. Mike even proposed to me at a Cardinal/Astro game and our grooms cake was a copy of the scoreboard at the Astrodome. I haven't been to many games lately. The boys are all grown up and so there are no little league games and practices to shuffle off to. I envy the parents and grandparents just getting ready to jump into the chaos of baseball season. And to those of you with kids or grandkids who will step onto the field for the first time in a few weeks, I share this poem I wrote...almost 20 years ago as Chris stepped up to the plate for his very first at bat.

He steps to the plate, his hands grip the bat
He positions his feet and he straightens his hat
His stance one of readiness, his feelings betrayed
by the wavering smile and the fear on his face

The first pitch he swings at is low and inside
and that pitch that he misses a blow to his pride
His face so determined, his spirits so low
as he swings at the next pitches but misses the throw

"Last pitch" cries the umpire and I see his face fall
and he looks just so fragile and frail and so small
I look to the sky and I whisper a plea
"Please God, it means so much to him, don't you see?"

The pitch comes, he hits it, his teammates go wild
and I'm on my feet cheering this wonderful child
Around first base, to second..he steps on the base
and his face is so happy it lights up the place

Now when I sit and reflect on the problems of life
and all of the suffering, all of the strife
and all of the people praying for relief from their despair
I remember that day and know that God still finds time for "little prayers".