The White White House: Jackson's Last Days at West Raleigh

It was five years ago when Jackson had his tryout at West Raleigh. Here we are, five years later and it's all over. Where did this time go? I remember when he was seven, watching the giant-size 11 and 12-year-old kids play in the National League. I said to myself, "that's a long way off" but here we are, past a season that at one point, seemed so far away.

So much has changed over the years. Instead of hitting a baseball thrown by his first coach there, Jackson is hitting baseballs thrown by kids even bigger than coaches! He's changed in stature; he's lost those baby cheeks and is a lot taller. He has more confidence as a player....man, how he's grown as a player. He's not so angry when he strikes out or makes mistakes (I used to worry about that). He's discovered his strengths and what positions he plays best. He's still tough on the outside and when he's at his best, he's a wall behind the plate. He's had his struggles and we've had our struggles trying to encourage him and coach him. He went from not making an all-star team to working and making one team then getting promoted to another the next summer. Nothing has come easy but I think one day he can look back on this time and remember the lessons that he's learned: don't give up, keep trying, keep working, life isn't fair, broken hearts do mend, work at everything with all your heart but for the Lord, failure isn't the end, winning is more fun than losing but there are lessons to be learned from both, and most of all-- trust God because everything works for good for those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Webb told me last night that when Jackson had his first tryouts, Coach Don, who drafted him, sent him an email recalling that special moment when he saw Jackson run and jump into his dad's arms after he successfully finished his tryout. Webb had never shared that information with me until last night. I had to walk out of the room because I couldn't contain the tears after seeing that beautiful picture in my mind. Isn't this what is at the heart of the game....relationships, friendships, sharing joy and excitement with others? I hate that I often lost sight of that along the way.

I'm going to miss those nail-biters, double header tournament games, late evenings at the fields and coming home to bathe dirty kids at 10:30 PM, and nights not being able to settle into bed because we were still reeling with excitement after a big win. We close one big chapter of our lives and move on to what God has for the next. It's just a game, I know, but a game at a place that has impacted our lives for the better.

Jackson finished the season and his career at West Raleigh on a team that won the regular season and the tournament. What a way to go out, huh! I'm so proud of my boy and all the growth that he's experienced as a person and a player. I am so thankful for the friendships he's made along the way. We leave with more than just memories.