Second Thoughts – Mallards, Cubs, and Braves

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Last evening I spent the night at my final Mallards game of the season. There is one more home game but I will be on the road.  It has been a good season and I wish them the best in the playoffs.

The professional baseball world is topsy-turvy for me.  The Cubs are still the best team in the game and my beloved Braves are at the bottom of the bottom.  I am happy for my long beleaguered Cubs friends.  They have waited so very long to feel this hope and potential.  Since my Braves will not be in contention I hope the Cubs take it all if only to make my friends happy.

My Braves did prosper in their former home town this week, sweeping a series with the Brewers.  My real baseball happiness this year has been enjoying the Mallards with my family.  It has been a warm muggy season.  My Grandsons have been more engaged in the game.  They both have sung at the game in front of thousands of fans.  I have seen my Son really relax and enjoy baseball.

The metaphors of baseball still run strong in my heart.  Every individual on the field matters even if they never touch the ball.  Every moment of the game is one of potential.  I am learning that it is so  both on and off the field.  The opportunities’ to be kind and loving to those around me abound.  The chances to be patient and  grateful to the staff occur nightly.. 

In the microcosm of each game is this temporary community of people in a united purpose.  They all want the same thing; a win.   I watch my Son set the example of cheering and not booing to his Sons and I am proud of him.  I see my Grandsons begin to understand the game and am delighted.

Mostly though I am constantly reminded that every season, game, inning, and pitch has potential.  Any at bat can turn death into a fighting chance to live.  Last night the only score was a two run home run by the opposition.  That single swing of the bat was enough to change everything.

Soon the air will turn crisp.  The Mallards players will return to their respective colleges.  The Braves will start their off season.  For the sake of my friends and my pastor I hope the Cubs are the last team standing as October heralds the end of the season. 

What I will carry into the winter where baseball and the green world sleeps is this:  I have a deeper love for my Children and Grandchildren through the common threads of the baseball seam.  I have a deeper love of Christ through the lessons of potential taught in the cathedral of the diamond. 

Eventually my heart will run out of summers.  For now I will embrace hope.  I will hope for better fortunes for my Braves.  I will hope that my family will embrace the journey of faith; even those who are in their winter of discontent.  I will journey through the deep midwinter in hope for a better outcome.  This is baseball and this is life. 

The Riddle – Five for Fighting

There was a man back in '95

Whose heart ran out of summers

But before he died, I asked him

Wait, what's the sense in life?

Come over me, come over me

He said

Son, why you got to sing that tune?

Catch a Dylan song or some eclipse of the moon

Let an angel swing and make you swoon

Then you will see, you will see

Then he said

Here's a riddle for you

Find the answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I

Picked up my kid from school today

Did you learn anything causin' the world today

You can't live in a castle far away

Now talk to me, come talk to me

He said

Dad, I'm big, but we're smaller than small

In the scheme of things, well, we're nothing at all

Still every mother's child sings a lonely song

So play with me, come play with me

And, hey, dad

Here's a riddle for you

Find the answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I

I said

Son, for all I've told you

When you get right down to the

Reason for the world

Who am I?

There are secrets that we still have left to find

There have been mysteries from the beginning of time

There are answers we're not wise enough to see

He said

You looking for a clue

I love you free

The batter swings and the summer flies

As I look into my angel's eyes

A song plays on while the moon is high over me

Something comes over me

I guess we're big, and I guess we're small

If you think about it, man, you know we got it all

'Cause we're all we got on this bouncing ball

And I love you free

I love you freely

Here's a riddle for you

Find the answer

There's a reason for the world

You and I

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Second Thoughts – For Love of the Game

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

I have always believed that except for injuries and some other serious issues it is proper to mostly leave God out of sports.  Primarily I think it is wrong to ask him to take sides.  In the excellent movie “For Love of the Game” the man character Billy Chapel, a pitcher prays.  “God, I always said I would never bother you about baseball, always seemed silly. But if you could make this pain in my shoulder stop for ten minutes”

Photo by Natalie Foley

When I was playing baseball I always left God out of it except to thank him when things went well or to pray for the safety of injured players.  Friday night whilst watching the game I involved God directly.  My friend, Dancing Rick, who had arranged for Orion to sing had a problem.  He came and discussed it with me.

You see it is summer and sunset is late and darkness later.   Darkness on July 3, 2015 was to arrive at 9:20. At 6:30 we were already in the sixth inning of the game.   Rick was concerned that the game would end early and that there was nothing for people to do.  He sole concern was not disappointing 6,500 baseball fans.  I prayed.

My prayer was simple; “Father the game needs to slow down.  Rick is concerned about his fans.”   It was then that God chose to remind me that he has a sense of humor.  My Mallards were ahead by two.  The Wood Chucks quickly tied the score and held on to take the game to extra innings. 

Whilst the sun took its time traversing the sky from evening to dusk the teams battled back and forth.  I spent from the ninth to the twelfth innings laughing at God’s joke.  Rick got his time, we all got darkness, and my Mallards still won.   My Son, Daughter, and Grandson danced the time away until it was dark enough for the fireworks. 

I was reminded well that God cares about everything.  I am not saying that my prayer caused the extra innings.  I am saying there are not coincidences.  I know that Rick is a man of faith.   I know the fireworks were amazing.  I know I was encouraged to help.  I know that my faith is stronger. 

For the love of baseball and the fans I am thankful.  For the extra innings I am thankful and humored.  For the wonder in my Grandson’s eyes I feel younger.  For celebrating Independence Day at a baseball game I am touched. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)