Mom

    We lost Mom this year.  She passed at 2:00 am in the hospital on October 5th.  I got the call at 7:00 am letting me know.  I had just visited with her the evening before.  It was just she and I in her hospital room.  I was stroking the hair away from her forehead.  We talked about her life and us 3 boys.  She was such a great woman.  We spoke more like friends than Mother and son.  As all Mother's are, she always put us first.  WE were her boys.  She always had a way of making sure that things were right with us, always caring.  At the funeral, so many people came up to me telling me how much of a good person Mom was.  She touched many lives beyond us boys.  It was then I realized that she was still taking care of us by giving us this extended "family".  As she touched their lives, they would continue to touch ours.

    Mom, I Love you a lot and I miss you even more.  I know that I will see you again someday with an even bigger extended family that I know you are building in Heaven.

The Gift of Baseball

    Earlier this year I was helping a customer whom I never met before.  We somehow got to talking about Baseball.  I had told him I played as a youth, a little college ball and eventually coached.  I explained how I loved the game and enjoyed helping young players excel as a coach.  After the transaction he left.  About 30 minutes later he returned with a brand new baseball.  He said that he felt compelled to purchase it and give it to me.  He stated that everytime I handle the baseball, he wanted me to think about the memories I had of baseball.  I had never met him before.

    Well, the year turned out to be a little rough.  I had a lot of "transitioning" at work.  I found myself with that baseball in my hand sitting at my desk.  I had to have knee surgery.  I took that baseball with me.  Mom passed and I was asked to give the eulogy.  Somehow, having that baseball in my hand kept me from totally breaking down and got me through the eulogy and service.

    A gift from a stranger that meant more than I'm sure he realizes.

    The gift of Baseball and kindness.