Bad news and good news

Good morning....If you are thinking that I am caught up with work despite being on vacation with an assortment of down time, you are wrong. I cannot seem to start and finish my projects. My mind is elsewhere despite having intentions of getting it done. Oh well...I have two more weeks. There is nothing like a great deal of stress to motivate or paralyze a person.

Anyway...enough about my lack of motivation and on to someone who has a great deal of ambition...the big lefty...

Got my daily text....'something wrong with hip...'

My response was 'ice it.'

Oye...hopefully, it is just a minor strain....nope....

"My hip gave out yesterday after a pitch and I fell. It is throbbing."



Nice...

NO! NOT NICE!

After I swallowed hard and said a little prayer, I asked him to explain. It seems that he has hip problem (he claims is congenital...ok, 'nuff about that). The hip is not stable and he is now in a panic.

Options:

1. Go to doc in Seattle and work it out there.
2. Go to the directors of the program and ask for assistance
3. Call New Jersey folks for advice since they are the experts
4. Come home and see Yoda. Work out at home....



He opted for #3 and sent an email last night. As of this moment, I have not heard from him.

As we chatted last night, he remains optimistic. His body issues have been a direct reflection of the university's training system and protocol. According to the big kid, when he went to Jersey this summer, he had ten problems to fix from his neck to back to knee to abdomen, shoulder, etc. The hip was last on the list. His body feels great except for the hip. And so, this is one of the last pieces of the puzzle. Hopefully, the Jersey people can give him a protocol that he can follow in Seattle. Then he can finish his workouts. This would be the ideal choice rather than bringing him home.

He ran the gamut of emotions last night as he was clear: "If it takes a week, a year, or six years, I will pitch. My last pitch is not going to be for the Czar at 79 mph. No way."


This is a determined young man.



Here is what fueled this determination....the Seattle people said to him: "Once you are where you were earlier in the season, we will get you onto a team."



That's right....a team....MLB, babeee......he is NOT giving up...not for a hip, back, neck, or shoulder. This guy is determined to make it. Sadly, his road is more difficult than others. But he is determined to finish what he started.

And so...stay tuned....the road is rocky again.....think positive.....he is closer than ever. All he has to do is fix the hip and he is on his way again....the little train that could.....

Gotta take the pups out. They seems to be chewing more and have started to eat my wall again....I need this, right?



Peace!

The start of something fast

Good morning! I am back at my desk temporarily trying desperately to catch up on work and work and work....

Have you ever witnessed a standing ovation at a funeral? For those of you who attended Big M's funeral, you saw something unique. First, the large church was full of guests. Second, there were two eulogies, a note of thanks from Big Sis, and a country singer crooning a song of meditation that he wrote for Big M. Anyway....



After the first eulogy, there was a standing ovation.....applause for the next speaker, Dr G, the applause for Big Sis. Once the meditation part of the Mass started, our favorite budding country singer, Lil R (actually, he is 6'5" and pretty big) sang a song that he wrote for Big M called "The Giver" which he plans on recording next week in Nashville.

It was a true celebration of Big M's life as we did not have flowers but plants, trees, perennials, and shrubs surrounding his casket and altar. No one wore black since we were celebrating a life. This meant that I had to hit the mall since all I wear is black. (Found a few dresses on clearance...had a coupon....). An amazing tribute for an amazing man. Until we meet again.....

Ok, on to new news about the Big lefty....are you ready? I am not sure that I am BUT.....

He arrived in Seattle on Saturday night and had a throwing session on Sunday. After not pitching for three months, he hit 91 mph. Yep, you read that correctly. 91...9-1......a tick on the clock greater than 90.

With that, the director said something that he never says to any of his clients....:"Son, you will hit 100 mph and sit at 95."

Yes, that is right....95-100...call up the scouts now!



Ok, don't call anyone...

On Monday, he called in a salty mood..."My hip is killing me."


Oh boy...no one can hit 95 mph without a good  or even a marginal hip. So, he is bummed....Until.....

Dad jumped in with his practical advice..."You threw for the first time in months on Sunday. Of course, you are going to be sore today. Relax."

And with that, dad is right (don't tell him that I made this admission). The Big Lefty will hit 100....be signed....and the rest will be history.

Well, I am a dreamer, right? Maybe. But, let me say this....the road to success is hard work and perseverance. Yes, luck is part of it. A dose of ambition and athleticism is also part of the equation. This guy has all of it. And I look forward to seeing him pitch again.

His friend, Texas, is pitching in an independent league and if the big lefty is not signed, he will play in the fall in Florida. I am hoping and praying that he signs before this happens and we can stop worrying about the future....

Although, a friend with a 41 year old son said that you never stop worrying and it is part of parenting. Is that right, BP Grandmom and Grandpop? Have you stopped worrying about us yet?

On to my work....

Peace!

Love our leftys....

Greetings on a hot Saturday morning. Today is the day....that's right...'the day'...the Big lefty leaves us and heads to Seattle for a run at the big leagues.

Before I get into the story, let me share something 'oh so cool' with you....OK, maybe it is not cool, but it was unexpected....here we go.....

Last Saturday, we gathered at Big Sis's house. As we sat and reminisced, someone with a smart phone cried: "Cole Hamels is pitching a no hitter.....turn on the TV."

Ok, we did as we were told and it was the bottom of the 8th and sure enough, he had not given up a hit.....we watched.....held our breath....then he finished the game with a no hitter.....then Big Sis screams: "It was Big M! He loved his boy Cole.....he helped him!"

Ok, I don't know about you, but I am not sure whether these things are actually an issue in heaven BUT I went with it and was glad that Big M  had a hand in the game....



Is this story over?

Nope......Stay tuned....

And so, another friend stopped by the house. This man has been a great friend to Big M as he owns a baseball work out center in the region. Cole H works out there in the off season and he and Big M's friend are friends. So, Big Sis told him the story of how CH was his favorite and was probably there during the game.



Does the story end here?

Nope...there's more.....

The friend texts CH and tells him about Big M's passing and how they were convinced that BIG M was with him during the game.



End of story?

Nope....there's more....

After the funeral, Big Sis received a letter from CH! That's right! A letter......



Here is a guy who had been traded on Wednesday to Texas and he still had time to write a letter of condolences to Big Sis.



To paraphrase......he was sorry about Big M and could feel prayers as he was on the mound during his no hitter. He could feel something....then he offered to set her and the family up in Texas if they were in town. He would give them tickets and set them up in the ballpark.



Now, this is a guy! Yeah, he went from being my number two favorite lefty to actually staying number two behind the Big kid. This guy has class. Big Sis and family were thrilled with the letter and CH's condolences. This brought smiles to their faces. It may have taken him two minutes, but his kindness has brought a plehtora of good feelings to a family that needed it. I am now a Rangers fan! Go team!



Back to the other big lefty....

He has been rehabbing his body for the past two months with success although he still complains about his hips....which are congenital.....He thanked me for the problem with his hips. I asked him how he knew that it was my fault and not his father's. Then I reminded him that his height, big hands, and athleticism were a family gift too and to be grateful.

Anyway, he leaves....

Last night we headed to the fair to hear a friend sing on the bandstand. He was excellent. As our favorite singer sang, the Big kid unloaded to me and said that he was nervous/anxious about the next phase.

"You? Nervous?"

"You have an amazing opportunity to fix a wrong that has been done to you. You have the gift...talent...drive....motivation. I watched you pitch. You are so close. keep your head down and throw....."



And that, my friends, is my advice to the lefty....just throw....and throw...and throw....listen to the experts and let them guide you. Breathe....throw....breathe...throw....



This is the moment that he has been waiting for since he was four years old. It is his shot. We will know whether it is in the cards or not for his run for the bigs.

Until then....keep our favorite lefty in your thoughts and prayers. I know that Big M is watching him from heaven. We will do our part on earth.



peace!