default
Member
Wow how times have changed. I am sure all of you have really seen a lot in your softball years and I am no different. Bad calls, broken bones, championship games and the best thing.... Your daughters smile. I guess as our season drawls to a close I look back on a season like no other. It all started when my daughter approached me on Christmas eve of 09. She said she had something to talk to me about. Being a coach/mom I thought " oh please don't tell me you want to quit softball I just bought you a new bat."
My 17 year old daughters eyes filled with tears standing there in the middle of winter wearing softball shorts and a tournament shirt. (i am sure you all know this is a year round outfit) She looked like she was 5 years old again. She looks right at me and says "Mom, I'm pregnant." I cannot tell you all that went through my mind at that moment. It was like I was in a whirlwind. But then I relized this is not about me, this is about her. As the winter months went on we kinda got used to the idea of the pregnacy and became supportive and proud. It does take some time. As the summer season started to approach and my daughter grew bigger.... Reality really set in. She can't play, people are gonna stare, girls are going to make fun, she is going to feel like a spectacle. Well yes all of those things happened. My star 1st baseman my number 3 power hitter.... There she sits on the bench with a big belly watching this all happen. She watched all season. It hurt. But I could never imagine the pain she was feeling. She was dedicated though: always went out for the coin flip, squeezed herself in her uniform until it was impossible, lined up with the team after games, cheered the team on like she always had done. Amazing! Why can't we all be that rezilant like our daughters? These little girls.... turned to tough guys on the field.
I guess why I felt I had to write this is to tell all of you to relax. Sit back, have fun and look at your daughter. Know that she is still that little girl on the inside. She hurts when she strikes out, she plays through the pain of injuries and it is not just for her... She is doing it for YOU! Take the extra time to tell her how proud you are and how great she played even if she didn't. They grow up way to fast. Believe me I know this first hand. My DD is now full term and ready to go at anytime. She is very excited and so are we to become grandparents for the first time. She questions me and her dad as to how soon do you think it will be before I can play again? We just laugh and tell her soon, soon we hope.
In closing my "story" I want to say I do not condone teenage pregnancy or sex before marrigage. But I just wanted to put this out there to say hey it could be worse. So if any of you have to go through this way too soon like we had to. I want you to know from experience. It will be hard. But it could be worse. Your daughter is still there and she needs you. Just like on the field. Be supportive, talk highly of her and remind her that her life is not over. It is just beginning.
My daughter will take the field again next season and then off to the military. It will be hard for her as a single mom. But I know she can do it.
Cherish your moments with your daughter on and off the field and know that no matter what happens in life it is God's will and she will be alright. Try not to let them grow up too fast and still hug them on the field even when it embarrases them. And please don't point at my daughter when she is holding the baby between innings next year. Come on up to her and hold the baby. She is not contagious she is just now the "Team Mom....."
My 17 year old daughters eyes filled with tears standing there in the middle of winter wearing softball shorts and a tournament shirt. (i am sure you all know this is a year round outfit) She looked like she was 5 years old again. She looks right at me and says "Mom, I'm pregnant." I cannot tell you all that went through my mind at that moment. It was like I was in a whirlwind. But then I relized this is not about me, this is about her. As the winter months went on we kinda got used to the idea of the pregnacy and became supportive and proud. It does take some time. As the summer season started to approach and my daughter grew bigger.... Reality really set in. She can't play, people are gonna stare, girls are going to make fun, she is going to feel like a spectacle. Well yes all of those things happened. My star 1st baseman my number 3 power hitter.... There she sits on the bench with a big belly watching this all happen. She watched all season. It hurt. But I could never imagine the pain she was feeling. She was dedicated though: always went out for the coin flip, squeezed herself in her uniform until it was impossible, lined up with the team after games, cheered the team on like she always had done. Amazing! Why can't we all be that rezilant like our daughters? These little girls.... turned to tough guys on the field.
I guess why I felt I had to write this is to tell all of you to relax. Sit back, have fun and look at your daughter. Know that she is still that little girl on the inside. She hurts when she strikes out, she plays through the pain of injuries and it is not just for her... She is doing it for YOU! Take the extra time to tell her how proud you are and how great she played even if she didn't. They grow up way to fast. Believe me I know this first hand. My DD is now full term and ready to go at anytime. She is very excited and so are we to become grandparents for the first time. She questions me and her dad as to how soon do you think it will be before I can play again? We just laugh and tell her soon, soon we hope.
In closing my "story" I want to say I do not condone teenage pregnancy or sex before marrigage. But I just wanted to put this out there to say hey it could be worse. So if any of you have to go through this way too soon like we had to. I want you to know from experience. It will be hard. But it could be worse. Your daughter is still there and she needs you. Just like on the field. Be supportive, talk highly of her and remind her that her life is not over. It is just beginning.
My daughter will take the field again next season and then off to the military. It will be hard for her as a single mom. But I know she can do it.
Cherish your moments with your daughter on and off the field and know that no matter what happens in life it is God's will and she will be alright. Try not to let them grow up too fast and still hug them on the field even when it embarrases them. And please don't point at my daughter when she is holding the baby between innings next year. Come on up to her and hold the baby. She is not contagious she is just now the "Team Mom....."
