A Little "SOFT" Education

Alright... It's been a little busy around our home the past month (as you'll see with our family post in the coming day or so).  But I wanted to take a moment to reflect on peronal growth in this month's installment of information sharing.

As many of you know, I have taken on coaching a youth softball team this year.  It has been quite the challenge since I am much better versed on baseball rules than softball (and they ARE different!).  I've tried to keep a positive outlook through it all... and have had the gracious help of Tony and a couple of other dads that have really been valuable. 

So, what is the point of my ramblings?  Last night we had our first softball game.  It was such a great experience that I wanted to share with everyone what I've learned.  My hope is that every parent find the time to give of themselves towards helping children learn something... and a team sport is a great way.  Here is what I've learned so far...

1. After working with kids as a pediatric nurse for years, I know that kids are sponges that soak up everything around them.  What I didn't know was how much I could feel like a sponge.  I have felt more energetic just soaking up all of the excitement each of my twelve girls has shared over the past two months!
2. Teamwork starts a very young age!  I never realized how kids that barely knew each other on Day #1 could be the best of friends by the end of the second practice. The older, more experienced girls have shared their softball knowledge with the younger ones... and everyone is better for it.
3. Smiling solves almost everything (well, at least in softball)!  Striking out at the plate... being thrown out at a base... getting hit in the shin with a softball.  All of the frowns and tears go away from these little girls' faces when they see everyone else supporting them with a giant smile. 
4. Trying is as important as succeeding!  For those that know me well, you know how competitive I am always striving for success.  I now know that trying is sometimes the most important part of any challenge.  Every player on the team tried to do their best last night... and that meant more to me than winning any game.
5. Most important of all lessons... grown ups don't have enough true FUN!  Over the past two months I have played fielding games and ran bases and done so many other things I used to love to do, but have simply let life get me away from.  After our game last night, Tony and I asked the girls the most important question "Did you have fun?!"... to which every one of them said an emphatic YES!

I feel like I have been truly blessed to have this opportunity to make an impact on our coming generation of young ladies.  And I'm even more blessed to get the wake-up call... life needs to be so much more than a routine that we all go through every day with work and cooking and cleaning.  For I now have a new excitement in my step every day.  I hope some of you parents will take the coaching challenge. You'll never regret it!

Oh... and for those of you that have read this far and are still curious.  Our game last night ended up in a tie (1-1).  So, I guess you can say everyone won last night :-)