I consider myself to be a truly blessed person. My life has indeed had its share of tough times and challenges. I continue to have tough times and challenges. I fully expect to continue to have tough times and challenges until they throw that first shovel of dirt on my coffin. I have also made mistakes. I imagine I will likely continue to make mistakes until that same shovel of dirt hits my coffin. I have made, and continue to make, every attempt to avoid making the same mistakes twice. Sometimes I have succeeded; other times I have failed. All of that has helped to make me the person I am, good or bad. I can say with 100 percent honesty, the person I am is incredibly grateful.
Every once in a while, I am reminded of the many reasons I have to be grateful; especially to be able to do many of the things I get to do. That includes being able to experience and watch events with the young people of our community. I'm talking primarily about the sporting events with our local high school teams. I feel a little funny whenever someone tells me “thank you” for covering various games and events. I do appreciate those words of thanks. It feels nice anytime someone acknowledges one's efforts. I am, more often than not, humbled by those little words of thanks. It humbles me because I am doing my job. It's what I get paid to do. But (and please, nobody tell my boss this), I would almost be willing to go to those events for free.
For me, it becomes much more than just reporting the stats of a ball game, or telling everyone who made a touchdown or hit a home run, or getting that “one in a million” photograph (usually by pure luck), or simply giving the score of a ball game. I have the wonderful opportunity to see some really good kids develop and grow. I get to see them doing what they love to do. I get to see them go through struggles and by doing so, learn those crucial lessons that will help take them from being good kids to even better adults. Their smiles and enthusiasm become my smiles and enthusiasm; and, more often than I care to admit, their tears have become my tears.
This past week, I covered the final home game for the Madison County High School Cowgirls softball team. After the game, as I was heading to my car, one of the team moms asked if I was leaving already. I told her it was nearing my bedtime, and yes, I needed to be on my way home. She asked me to wait for a moment. I had no idea what was going on (which is not an uncommon state of being for me). A few minutes later, the lone senior from the team handed me an envelope. In it was a “thank you” card, signed by the members of the team, thanking me for covering their games. I was genuinely surprised and humbled by this kind gesture. I am the one who is truly thankful for having the opportunity to watch and tell everyone else about their games. I am even more thankful more the opportunity I have had to watch and get to know some of these kids. I look forward to seeing them grow and seeing what the Good Lord has in store for them. I know it's going to be something great.
So, to those Cowgirls, I say “thank you.” Not only for the nice card and gift certificate; but, more importantly, “thank you” for allowing me to watch you grow and for allowing me to help tell your stories. You all have made the “sunny side” a lot brighter for this old guy.