To "My Little Baseball Pitcher"

To My "Little Baseball Pitcher"
At the end of my seasons, I get my little Seniors a tiny gift. It's just a little something to show them how special I think they are. I usually try and make it meaningful, but not expensive, since there are so many of them! :) The thing I value the most is the card. I spend WAY too much time at Hallmark as it is, but I try and handpick card to match my Seniors. Then I sit down, after I've unwound from my day and write to them about how wonderful they are.

I think it's important to be told how wonderful and special you are and what you mean to other people. It's something that as a society we don't do often. My College Roommate and One Of My Best Friends told me once, in the midst of unbelievable turmoil and it may just have saved my life. Going off to college is a shock and a change and the perfect time to take with you a little piece of something reminding you that in the midst of everything, someone thinks you are extremely special and loved.

Unfortunately this Spring, my Seniors got robbed. The group of Seniors finishing their seasons in the Spring were extremely special to me. It was just too hard to get my head around the fact they were leaving. I sat down and tried to think of words, but they just wouldn't come. I did my best, wrote out the cards and the year ended. While I was sitting in Atlanta at our Annual convention it occurred to me they were gone. I was so sad. I felt like I had so much I wanted to tell them, but the chance had past. People come and go, it's true, but this group, well, I just can't tell you how much fun they were to have around, to see everyday and to be a part of their lives.

My friends hear about the kids I see so much! You guys all know how much I love meeting people and getting to know them and "my kids" are all such great interesting people. I think in the race to educate and put down the youth of America we forget to ENJOY the youth of America and the fact that they are people too. The teachers who take the time to get involved (and not in some icky, "headlines in the newspaper" way) with their students are enriched by the things you learn and take in. I'm a firm believer in the notion that learning in a classroom, school, field or Athletic Training room goes both ways.

Take for example "My Little Baseball Pitcher". BJ is one of the sweetest people I've met. He came to see me today before he goes off to college. So, I decided to take some time here and "re-write" his card. Enjoy.

Dear BJ:

When I first met you two years ago, you were such a sweet goofy kid (no offense). It was my first year working in our High School and you were a Junior who came walking in during baseball season with a BIG smile on your face like you owned the place. We saw you often that Spring always for the same aches and pains. You whined a little, picked on Poor Little CJ made me reprimand you, but always left our AT Room a little lighter and happier place.

The beginning of your Senior Year and our starting Quarterback! I figured our Fall would be filled with you whining and always a little ached and pained, but you weren't. You had every reason to see us and complain, for every game you got beat to heck. You stood in there and were SO tough! Each play you'd pick yourself up with this steely resolve on your face and get back into the game. I learned that resolve came naturally to you. You do anything better than everyone else if you decide you want to do it! You also think you are right about most everything, and usually are. You would argue the color of the sky if you seriously thought it was purple and just may convince everyone around you to agree with you. You are so naturally charismatic, people just want to be in your presence and have you around.

We got a break from you during the winter. Lucky Us! :) Even though it was your "off" season, you found a way to make it to just about every Basketball game as the leader and orchestrator of the "Spirit" bench of students. A natural-born leader!

Next thing we knew, it was baseball season. In you came, lunch in tow (umm...usually French Fries. The way you eat them, is unlike anything I've ever seen and really, can't even describe it, but it will be unforgettable! :) ) for our 20 minutes of you "holding court". It was during baseball I got to see you blossom. There is something about validation of being loved that changes people. It certainly changed you. You weren't as "goofy" to get attention. You walked taller, held your head up and, heaven help us ALL, got a little more confidence in yourself.

Bri, you've got so many terrific things ahead of you in college! I worry about you getting sidetracked and lost in all the freedom college has to offer. I worry about you getting into trouble and wandering off course. I know baseball will keep you focused, but I want you to focus and do well because you've finally found a place to thrive. I hope you find things academically that challenge you and classes you enjoy taking. I wish on you Professors that inspire you to achieve,dream and (here it comes, the "p" word) achieve your enormous potential - instead of the ones in your past which seemed to set off your resolve for being right and proving them wrong. You are the type of person who was made for college. I hope you take every advantage of that.

It is hard for me to express all the great things I hope you find in your future. You are such a sweet, wonderful and caring person with the opportunity to do great things. I hope you do every single one of them. I look forward to hearing from you periodically during your college career. You are so loyal to your friends and family, so close and good at keeping in touch, I don't think this will be a problem. We are all always here if you need anything. (Even Mr. Von Leer. I think he misses you! :) )

Good Luck Brian!!!

Miss V

P.S. - you asked me when I gave you the last card if I attached my favorite quote to it. It wasn't my favorite, just one I thought was fitting for you and where you are in your life. Truth be told, all my favorite quotes are movie quotes and not really "meaningful". Here's one of my favorites (there are so many good ones) from my favorite movie: "You lollygag the ball around the infield. You lollygag your way down to first. You lollygag in and out of the dugout. You know what that makes you? Larry!" "Lollygaggers!"