COURAGE & FINISHING

Okay, I'm having to combine yesterday's word with today's.  What is cool is that what I want to write about is perfect for combining these 2 words.

Summer 2011 Kole felt fortunate to make the Cy-Falls Gold Glove Team.  He was pumped!  Unfortunately, it turned into more of  "daddy ball" than what any of us expected.  Oh, well, if nothing else, it helped him create some good friendships heading into high school.  Then in the fall, the team played on a league on TU nights.  The "daddy ball" got worse!  (That's what happens when his own dad wasn't coaching him anymore!)  But, Kole didn't give up. 

It took him COURAGE to go out on that field with those dads, but he did!  He wanted to play ball so bad he even used his COURAGE to try out for a team older than him.  He made the team--but decided those kids were so much bigger than him, that he'd fit in better on a team his age.  But, that COURAGE gave him the confidence that he could play with the big boys!  He had a great fall season playing with Sandlot. 

While playing in the Fall, he had some goals.  GROW & work hard to make the high school team in the spring.  He went out to Sandlot 5 days/week and worked on his hitting and fielding.  He never gave up!  He gave 100% effort so that he could FINISH strong! 

Try-outs began 1.27.12.  First day was all about defense.  Defensively Kole dominates!  He came home that night so pumped!  He knew if try-outs were over that day, he would have definitely made the team.  After try-outs, he went back out to the cages to get some more hitting in and be ready for SAT's try-out.  Saturday he had to run a 60 yard sprint for time.  No, he's not fast, but he beat the guy he ran against!  He then went to different hitting stations before hitting on the field.  He didn't WHAM it like he had been at the cages, but nobody did that day.  Kev thought he finished in the top 12 out of 37.  Since the head coach was home severely sick, the intra-squad scrimmage that would be the final view of the players was moved to MON after school.  OMG--did that put Kole into a tail-spin.  He was so upset he'd have to continue to wait to get word. 

Finally MON came and he had his scrimmage.  He did great defensively and made contact with the ball each time offensively.  He never stuck out--which was a big goal of his.   Results of who'd made the roster would be posted on FB by 8:00 that night. 

Oh my gosh, was that a long 3 hours!  I had to stay at work that night for a family event.  His geometry tutor was coming over at 7.  By 7 no results had been posted, so Kev was in charge of hitting refresh every minute.  Finally my phone vibrated and there was a text!  Only this text was about a drive time opening--granted he has one time left but not at that moment!  10 minutes later the all important text came through--HE MADE THE TEAM! 

I couldn't wait for that family event to get over so I could get home--one more advantage for living that close to work!  Gave him a huge hug and got to hear him say "Thanks Mom for all your help!"

COURAGE & FINISH--that's my son!