A Mother's Moment

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” 

- William Arthur Ward

"Mommy, can you straighten my bow please?" the voice coming from behind me I could tell was a little girl.  I turned to looked, and she was sitting two rows behind me waiting for the pre-game festivities to begin.  She was anxious.  It was Lil' Sis Day at Dot Hicks Field in Huntington, WV where the Marshall University Thundering Herd softball players would be introduced with their Lil' Sisters, young girls they have formed a close relationship over the last several months as part of a community mentoring program.

I looked back to the field, and there as well, the young women on the Herd softball team were straightening their caps, repositioning their headbands, and tightening their bows as well.   It was an important day with an important series against a confident rival, Florida Atlantic University, lead by legendary Joan Joyce.  But first - the Lil Sis introductions…to some…more important.

The stands began to empty, Mom's and Dad's began to take their little girls out to the field.  All of them had a uniform on, one they wore as part of their local softball team.  Some of these girls weren't much bigger than a bat you or I'd would swing, but they had their start in softball and they loved it.  And they loved this day when they got to go onto the beautiful field with their Big Sis' and the Marshall softball coaches and organization.  This is the big their big time!

It was a special moment to be there and watch, and feel, the experience.  But it wasn't until I returned home and went through some of the pictures I took that i would truly understand what I was experiencing.  The joy in these girls faces and they got called out onto the field….the affection displayed as the Big Sis' and Lil Sis' would hold one another's hand as they were preparing to jog up as their names were called.  Their smiles, their eyes…no sounds needed….you can see the joy.

I am so proud of the Marshall University Softball program for the time and effort that everyone puts into this - a wonderful program that may impact a young girl more than anything else at this stage in her life.   Developing relationships, getting encouragement through role models, building self-esteem and building dreams are just a small part of the experience….for both Big Sis and Lil Sis.   Priceless moments some may not understand unless they take the time to reflect on how meaningful those relationships and experiences are and will be.

One day, years from now, when a little girl has her bow in her hair ready to go out to the ballpark, I can hear her mother say, "Hey, come here, let me straighten you bow. You look so pretty!" …. because she was that little girl once.

(Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers out there!   Happy Mother's Day Mom…….Happy Mother's Day Lori……Happy Mother's Day Coach Stanton)