Next to me sleeps a man. As I sit poking my keyboard, I can't help but notice a couple of things. First off, his roughly calloused hands are a distinct indication of his solid work ethic. Next, I see the bruises and cuts up his arms showing maybe a hint of carelessness, stubbornness or the needle marks due to countless blood transfusions. I look around this small room and its cruelty for a man with such a background. His 3 x 6 window is a cruel punishment, a tease of the outside world that he so dearly longs to taste again. This is a man whom over the past couple decades has become my hero. This man knows not his future as he lies in this cheap bed. The ailment that controls his body throws him through loops, but by his upbeat personality one wouldn't know he had a thing wrong with him.
As he so greatly declares "I have nothing wrong with me, I feel fine." How dearly I wish to believe these words. Over the past few days, this man has spoken many words of council to me. I have listened very intently. He's become a best friend. As I continue my typing, I sit in awe at his great strength. How he can lie in this prison and be so happy, I will never know. This sign of silent courage gives me hope and strength with the trials I encounter in my life.
He calls me Superman. But the real hero lies next to me, My Grandpa.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Right Field Hero
Dear Admirable Followers,
This is my first post. One of many to come, hopefully. First off I thank you for your support and your comments to come. The first topic I have chosen to blog about is my screen name.
Right Field Hero
Growing up I loved sports, I was the kid who would run around the neighborhood looking for some sort of game to join. I will never forget my first encounter with little league baseball (every boys dream). I showed up to practice and the coach pulled me aside he said "Brooks, you are going to be a good ball player I am happy to have you on my team". He then pointed to a scrawny little fellow named Briggs. He commented "Briggs is here because his parents want him to be, he has no game. That is why he plays right field." Coach then explained to me that right fielder position belong to those nonathletic kids because nobody ever hit the ball into right field.
Days and practices went by and I continually watched Briggs in the unimportant position that he so dearly loved. He would pick grass and dandelions. Coach would continually get on his case, which we both knew led no where.
The season started and by the time I knew it we were fast approaching our last game. I had played pretty well that year, as for briggs he didn't do so well. In fact he didn't get a hit all year, he never caught a ball and was being continually yelled at by coach and teammates.
As a 14 year old boy in little league nothing means more to you then the State Playoffs, and our team was one win away from reaching this coveted destination. Before the game coach told us that we needed to play our best, nobody could make mistakes everything needed to be perfect. I watched Briggs again as we were receiving this win one for the gipper speech and his head slowly met the palms of his hands. I patted him on the shoulder and said "lets do it". The game was pretty fun I don't remember much about it. But the part that I do remember will forever stick with me as it has now become a life lesson.
Our team was up 1 run with 2 outs. Runner on third and second (for those of you who aren't baseball fans- this means that the team we were playing potentially had the chance to beat us or we could get one more out and win). Brigss was having a typical game 3 times at bat and 3 strikeouts. 2 errors in the outfield due to lack of will or concentration.
Our pitcher pitched the ball and the kid knocked one out towards Briggs. We all kind of stood there hoping for a miracle knowing it wasn't possible. Briggs stuck out his glove and somehow the ball met his glove. HE CAUGHT IT! game over. Briggs was the hero. He cried that day as did coach.
So why the name rightfieldhero for me?
Well in life there are so many different types of people. I have come to the conclusion that due to my over thinking head and come what may personality I have been pinned with the right field position in life. So I sit in the grass, picking the wild flowers hoping that someday a might catch that crucial fly ball.
Until then, Play Ball.
Right field hero.
This is my first post. One of many to come, hopefully. First off I thank you for your support and your comments to come. The first topic I have chosen to blog about is my screen name.
Right Field Hero
Growing up I loved sports, I was the kid who would run around the neighborhood looking for some sort of game to join. I will never forget my first encounter with little league baseball (every boys dream). I showed up to practice and the coach pulled me aside he said "Brooks, you are going to be a good ball player I am happy to have you on my team". He then pointed to a scrawny little fellow named Briggs. He commented "Briggs is here because his parents want him to be, he has no game. That is why he plays right field." Coach then explained to me that right fielder position belong to those nonathletic kids because nobody ever hit the ball into right field.
Days and practices went by and I continually watched Briggs in the unimportant position that he so dearly loved. He would pick grass and dandelions. Coach would continually get on his case, which we both knew led no where.
The season started and by the time I knew it we were fast approaching our last game. I had played pretty well that year, as for briggs he didn't do so well. In fact he didn't get a hit all year, he never caught a ball and was being continually yelled at by coach and teammates.
As a 14 year old boy in little league nothing means more to you then the State Playoffs, and our team was one win away from reaching this coveted destination. Before the game coach told us that we needed to play our best, nobody could make mistakes everything needed to be perfect. I watched Briggs again as we were receiving this win one for the gipper speech and his head slowly met the palms of his hands. I patted him on the shoulder and said "lets do it". The game was pretty fun I don't remember much about it. But the part that I do remember will forever stick with me as it has now become a life lesson.
Our team was up 1 run with 2 outs. Runner on third and second (for those of you who aren't baseball fans- this means that the team we were playing potentially had the chance to beat us or we could get one more out and win). Brigss was having a typical game 3 times at bat and 3 strikeouts. 2 errors in the outfield due to lack of will or concentration.
Our pitcher pitched the ball and the kid knocked one out towards Briggs. We all kind of stood there hoping for a miracle knowing it wasn't possible. Briggs stuck out his glove and somehow the ball met his glove. HE CAUGHT IT! game over. Briggs was the hero. He cried that day as did coach.
So why the name rightfieldhero for me?
Well in life there are so many different types of people. I have come to the conclusion that due to my over thinking head and come what may personality I have been pinned with the right field position in life. So I sit in the grass, picking the wild flowers hoping that someday a might catch that crucial fly ball.
Until then, Play Ball.
Right field hero.
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