To whom much is given...

Sometimes a girl just needs to see her Mama.  I realized this was the case for me last Wednesday when I hung up the phone with my mother and couldn't stop crying.  My husband received a very melancholy text from me with kindness and understanding.  He was willing to squeeze my taxiing and cooking duties into his already busy schedule without one complaint.  The last time I was this desperate for the presence of my Mom was Spring Break of my Freshman year of college and instead of staying in CA Mama counted her pennies and flew me home.  This was one of many sacrifices she made way back during my college years. Sacrifice is a common theme with this petite, quiet creature we all call Granny.

I didn't have a real agenda for my surprise visit.  All I wanted was to talk and walk with her as she lived life.  We had two nights and one day together filled with chatter, reminiscing, loving and serving her parents and hanging with my older sister.  Everyday she drives into town to cook dinner for my elderly grandparents. She reminds Nana to take her pills and listens to the story of the day that has decided to get stuck in that sweet lady's mind.  Whatever the story, it plays on repeat multiple times.  But she's wonderful and we love her.  My Grandfather enjoys discussing current events but after a few minutes you've deafened your own self trying to speak loudly enough to be heard. As you can imagine, even after 60+ years they make a fine pair.  My aunts and uncle do what they can when they are able and no doubt wish they were close enough to be even more involved.  Mama doesn't complain or allow herself to feel overwhelmed.  She stays even keeled and joyful even while exhausted.

During one of our trips down memory lane Mama relived moments from the time she moved in with her brother in order to help his wife end a battle with cancer.  Anyone who has watched a cancer patient fight knows these are difficult days.  My mom left her life for half a year in order to be with those she loved during an impossible ordeal.  She was blessed with flexibility her other sisters didn't have then and she has been blessed with proximity to her parents her sisters and brother don't have now.

I'm the selfish one.  I am saddened when Granny isn't able to come watch a football game or chorus concert.  It's hard to hear her so tired and not be local myself.  The past few days reminded me that for 38 years I've been blessed beyond measure over and over again by her sacrificial nature.  To whom much is given much is required and I have been blessed to have for a mother this little lady who delights in serving those she loves most.

Here's a video of my Nana telling the story of her conversion...a story that would be easy to listen to a hundred times over.

Tom Hanks Was Wrong

I've often threatened real tears over the outcome of a Braves game but for the first time in my 15 years as an avid fan the tears weren't a joke.  After last night's loss I went to bed with a belly ache, woke up 3 times during my short night's sleep feeling despair and after dropping off kids at school the tears flowed.  I don't understand why I care so much about the ending of a sports season but somewhere deep in my soul  something ripped.  Listening to the weekly podcast by Atlanta Baseball Talk helps me process these things but I just can't wait until Sunday.  I find writing therapeutic. In an effort to limit my children's fodder for future therapy sessions and my own sanity I'd like to say "Thanks".

Thank you Freddie Freeman for doing splits any gymnast would envy and saving 100 errors in the process.  Your work on both sides of the plate this year was MVP worthy. Thank you Chris Johnson for being a bright spot in the line up even in the darkest of offensive woes.  Simba, I don't know how you do it!  You make all of Braves Country proud when other announcers speak of your defensive talent with envy.  JHey!  Thanks for fighting to recover as quickly as possible from your emergency appendectomy and after taking that fastball to the face.  Thank you J Up for helping me not miss Martin Prado so desperately in the beginning of the season.  To others' whose last name begins with a U, I don't know what makes hitters struggle but no one can question your heart's desire to play well. I appreciate your dedication to the game this season especially in the batting cage.    El Oso Blanco, I freakin' love your raw doggin' teachable self.  Don't ever change.  You are an inspiration!  Thanks to the bullpen for keeping us in the game time after time even when we were behind.  All those comeback wins would never have been possible without you.  Kimbrel, I don't have words big enough to describe what we all feel when those flames lick the screens at the Ted.  I better stop there (insert your own opinion about Craig's absence last night).  Alex Wood, David Hale, Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, and Kris Medlen, look at you all grown up. O'Flaherty, Venters, Beachy and merciful heavens, Huddy...get well soon!  We need you next season.  B. Mac, don't go!!!!!!!!!!!  To all of you...thank you for the sweat, sore muscles, time from family, missing birthdays, missing births all together, suffering jet lag, enduring smelly locker rooms,weariness of the road, hecklers, and respecting the game enough to endure the immaturity of Gomez and Harper.

David Carpenter, I hope you don't beat yourself up.  Mama said there'd be days like this and besides, that Juan fella seems to be a pretty good hitter. Thank you Elliot Johnson and Constanza for giving me a hope filled 7th inning.  It was fantastic! I really thought we'd pull it off.

 Honestly, we just got beat.  I'd put the 2013 Atlanta Braves at their best against any team in baseball.  Making it through the playoffs, much less winning the World Series takes an entire season of tons of tiny things going perfectly.  It's rare and miraculous.  For the remainder of the postseason I'm going to have to pull for the Dodgers.  My friend, and Dodger fan Matt Elliott is in a hospital bed battling Leukemia and dude needs something to pass the time and get excited about.  Come on Dodgers!  Win it for the cancer patient!

The Atlanta Braves were fun to watch all season and for that I thank you.