Moments to Remember

There are certain things in life where you capture a "picture" in your mind. The birth of a child, your bride walking down the aisle, going on your first date, the moment when you accepted Jesus; these are all those "special" moments in life. Last night was, for me a special night.

Most boys and some girls dream of going to play at the major league ball park. I sure did. I always dreamed what it would be like to play at Three Rivers Stadium or what it would be like to play at PNC Park. Our daughter, Alayna, had that chance last night!

What a night. Alayna got a hit everytime she batted, hit in and scored the first two runs of the game after it was scoreless for half the game and watched as a team of 12 and under girls played so strong together as a team, pulling out a victory in extra innings, 5-4.

Alayna's coach, Bridget is a class act. Throughout the season, I watched a coach teach when the girls needed taught, encouraged when the girls got down on themselves, motivated when the girls got slow in the summertime heat and most importantly, loved each one of them as her own. I say, "Thanks", Coach Bridget for modeling a way of coaching that every coach should exemplify.

I didn't sleep much last night, partly because the "little boy" in me kept seeing "big league" visions of my daughter swinging and hitting a ball in a major league ballpark with her name on the jumbotron.

Makes me thank God for the gift of being a father. God, you're awesome. Thanks for giving Jennifer and I three awesome children and for blessing us with family and church family. We are surrounded by people we love.

Abby, Daddy is So Proud

Last night, Alayna had a softball game. Alayna's team won 14-0, and finished early. We had to run to Gabriel's to get some picture frames for some pictures we took over the day and weekend for a few people.

After checking out at the register, we made our way through the front lobby of Gabes. Coming in was an entire family. Father, mother, two children. One of the children was pushing the cart very slow. I tried to scoot by, but couldn't do it that well as the family was standing nearby him. As I looked down, this little boy pushing the cart had leg braces from the ankles to knees. I knew then why he was walking slower.

I was able to come around the boy and the cart. As I came around the cart, I turned and smiled to the boy pushing the cart with his mom next to him. I knew this kid! It was Abby's classmate Eddie.

Abby talks about Eddie all the time. She really likes him. I looked at the mom and said, "Hello, I'm Abby's dad and Abby talks about Eddie all the time." I looked at Eddie, and said, "Abby, really likes you buddy." Eddie has speech issues and was able to say, "Thank you." The mom then said, "Eddie, who is your friend at school?" Eddie looks at her and was able to say, "Abby." I just smiled from ear to ear!

The mom, speaking broken English, (with a strong Eastern European accent) said, "Abby is dear to my heart." If you could have felt like I felt at that moment. I could have melted. I was overcome with a sense of peace, joy and thankfulness for what and who my daughter is.

Here was a family whom I never have met before, from Eastern Europe, now living here, was touched by my daughter's gift of love for their son. Abby's teacher told me this week, that she wrote in her folder to request for next year that Abby should be put in a classroom where special needs kids are because she has such a love and compassion to help them and care for them.

I got home and gave Abby a HUGE hug and told her how proud I was of her for caring for Eddie in school. Jennifer asked Abby if she met Eddie's mom and Abby said, "Yes, she comes in our room at school."

Wow, my seven year old is already out there in the world making an impact for Jesus Christ, sharing her love of God with all people. It had to be one of the proudest moments of my entire life.

Mark 10:14 "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."

What I Just Found

The kids are at school today and I am on vacation all week. Some vacation... I am packing room by room, getting ready for the move to Butler. I am working in Aaron's room right now. I came across a book (hardcover) that is unfinished. Aaron was working on a book last year but never completed it. It is titled, "The Big Game."

The dedication page says, "Dedicated to my dad. Because he takes me to Pirate games."

It may not mean much to you, but it brought me to tears. Little do I realize sometimes the importance of those things, like a Pirate game. May I appreciate the little things that I do with the kids more often.

Wow. I had a book dedicated to me by my son. Cool.