Another season over.

Well, it is 10:30 the night before school gets out, and our baseball season is finally over.

During the middle of baseball season, I was cursing myself for even signing him up.

It took away our dinners as a family.

It screwed up bedtimes.

We sat in bitter cold, blustering wind, scorching heat.

I watched him gracefully accept the fact that he was not one of the strongest players on the team, as he was one of the youngest. This made him quite the bench warmer at the beginning of the season.

My heart would sink if Matthew struck out.

I hurt when I saw the 3rd graders pick on the 2nd graders on the team.

I was counting down the days until it ended.

Then...

Tonight, I sat there with the parents I have come to love over the past few months.

I watched Mary Beth race around laughing with her new best friends.

I watched Thomas cheer his brother on.

I watched him improve every game and spend most of the time in the field.

I watched us win in the last inning.

I watched as the coach huddle up the kids. I heard him ask team, for the first time, who should take home the game winning ball. I choked up when the whole team, big 3rd graders and all, started immediately chanting, "Matthew! Matthew! Matthew!" That was a moment I will cherish.


Now I am counting down the days until next season...