and so it begins

Another year of softball. A new team, same coach as last year. She's great, loves the kids, but yells. A lot. Pete got yelled at the other day. A lot. Because she kept popping up to catch the ball. Because she missed the ball. Because a throw was wild. Came time for practice today, all I heard was "I want to quit. I don't want to be catcher." I said, "you're not a quitter. You quit this, you'll quit stuff later on. When the going gets tough, put on a helmet. (I read that somewhere today- props to whoever you are) Give it a few games, if you still don't want to catch, we'll talk to the coach."

My kids sign up for something, they finish it. They don't have to do it again, but they finish what they start.

At the end of practice, my old jumping bean was back. We walked hand in hand (can I tell you how much I love that?) and she bounced and flitted to the car.

"You did good tonight, Pete."

"Yeah- did you see all the balls I caught?"
I reminded her how we she loved it last year, and tonight, and that the next time she wanted to quit we'd talk about how good she felt right then.

Damn, it's been a good day. Hope yours goes as well.