A Drive To The Coast

A good friend of mine had a wedding party for his daughter and new husband this afternoon at his home down at the coast.  While Margaret took our daughter Molly to a birthday party, Will and I jumped in my restored Jeep CJ7 and headed down to the coast for a party.  Will wasn’t too excited about it as it was an adult party with no kids, but he went along with out complaint.  I told him they would be serving fried grouper and oysters, but that still did not raise any interest.  What is wrong with that boy!!!

As we sped south along Hwy 319 listening to the shuffle of 3500+ songs on my ipod, it occurred to me how good this boy has it.  I said, “Will, when I was your age I would ride with my father in an Oldsmobile or Pontiac and listen to him sing gospel music.  And if he wasn’t singing, we were listening to it.”  There wasn’t a whole lot a variety for me back in those days.  “Here we are, driving with the top off the jeep listening to anything from AC/DC to bluegrass.  How good is this?”, I said.  With a lively giggle and a high five, we carried on down the road.

On our way back, we went down a few one trail roads to some of my “secret” spots on the bay.  It was high tide so the marshes were full and water covered the road in certain places.  This perked him up and he really showed interest when the bait was getting chased almost under our feet.  He said “Dad, when you pick me up from school on Wednesday, can we come down here with our cast nets?”  That warmed my soul.

As we drove back to town, I would look over at him bobbing his head to the music and just enjoying the ride.  Will was content with the world and himself.  Comfortable in his skin and just enjoying being Will while I was just enjoying be Dad.

The Heart of the Game

Since Will started playing baseball, five years ago, I have helped coach and been at every game.  Ok, I may have missed one in five years, but it was for some ridiculously good reason.  It has been a joy to watch Will and the other kids develop skills and mature over the years.  Some have a ton of athletic skill and use it to win.  Some have athletic skill and are lazy; it comes too easy for them so work, in their minds, is not necessary to compete.  Then there are the kids who are not the best player on the team, but can hit the ball, play the position whether it is the infield or outfield, and most importantly keep their heads in the game.   As a coach, I would take these players, the ones with ” heart”, over a mini T.O. or any other super athlete I would have to babysit.

Having heart and commitment is what separates many of us from success or failure.  Stepping out of our comfort zone and trying new things takes courage and a high level of dedication to the task.  If one has the talent, but not drive or work ethic, what good is he?  People give me advice and ask me about this and that in this new venture we have started, and I certainly do not have all the answers.  I don’t know if this new painting, design or t shirt will sell or will be liked by anyone, but who can say until you try.  I expect more failures than successes as Wm Lamb & Son develops, I will strike out at the plate and have ground balls runs between my legs, but I will not let my heart be troubled.  My Faith gives me purpose and keeps my head in the game; my heart is resilient.  I would rather be as the plate swing at pitches and loosing, than standing at the fence wondering what could be.   Not that I have my moments of doute and discouragement; that is a daily event.   But my Faith is strong; it picks me up and puts me back in the game.

This thing called life isn’t easy and it certainly hasn’t turned out like I had planned back in my teenage years.  Some things haven’t worked out so well, while some things are better than I could have ever imagined.  I can look back and see where I have lost heart in people and projects, but only to be rewarded and renewed with a different path that has been laid before me.  My problem is keeping my drive and ambition in check and having patience with others and challenges I face. 

Through it all, I must have the” heart” my son Will has on the ball field.  He is not the strongest hitter or best fielder on the team, but watching him call out the plays, whether he is playing second base or centerfield, is make me proud and inspired.   Sure he gets mad when he strikes out; he should, but he keeps swinging and the smile on his face when he rounds third headed for home warms my heart and makes it all worthwhile.  The kids got heart and so must I.