What Makes A Champion?

May 25, 2012

What a busy couple days it's been.  We drove up from Central Texas to Providence Village to cheer our grandsons on as they faced the last two games of the baseball season.  It had been several weeks since I seen them, so I was chomping at the bit to get my arms around those two rascals and give them some high fives!!

The drive up gave us a chance to get in some errands ... Michael left his Passat at the VDub place and I had a chance to visit a few of my favorite stores.  In so many ways, I miss the conveniences that living near a big city offers.  On the flip side, I have learned to be more creative in my shopping excursions.

Thursday night was an important night.  The Redhawks and Longhorns were vying for the chance to play in the championship games Friday night.  The boys were raring to go ... energy was peaking ... they were chomping at the bit to get into the van and head for the field.  Shirts were ironed, socks arranged just right, pants white as snow, hats in tow -- wrist bands, gloves, bats, drinks were all tucked into their bags.  On the outside, they looked like poster boys for what a champion looks like.  To Zachary and Nicholas, looks are important!!

Before we left for the field, I was grateful for the opportunity to cuddle with my grandsons and give them some pep talks.  I told them that, in my eyes, they were champions the moment they were born.  They were fierce little guys with hearts of gentleness.  We talked about ... "Remember when you were scared of the ball?"  "Remember when you hit the ball off the 't'?"  "Remember when you hit that first home run?  Being a champion starts with a promise, desire, and takes lots of practice.  Are champions born?  Absolutely!  Sadly enough, not all champions continue on to become the best they can be.  Zachary and Nicholas are as different in personality as day and night -- yet, they are focused, insightful, team players, and each has their own strengths.  (As you can see, they are boys and, as such, love to make faces and cut up!)

Zachary prefers the lime light of pitcher.  He is a natural leader not afraid of making mistakes.  He has a smile that lights up a room and a heart that goes out to all he meets.  His mind moves a mile a minute and his focus naturally moves to the task at hand.  I call him the Preacher as he will take the initiative to gather a group and pray up a storm.  My tears flowed Friday at lunch when he and his friend went back and forth with their petitions.  Zachary's faith moves mountains and so does he!!

Nicholas is a shy, quiet sort.  Unlike his big brother who is a tall, string bean, Nicholas is shorter, stockier, and more deliberate in his motions.  He prefers to play second base ... at six, his strong arm delivers the goods and his turns at bat are to be reckoned with.  When he connects with that ball, the bat cracks and he's off towards the bases.  Nicholas has the ability to zero in on those balls flying through the air ... he's less animated than his brother but he gets the job done.  He started later in the season and has wowed coaches with his progress becoming one of the strongest players on the team.  How about that home run hit?!

Zachary and the Longhorns won their game Thursday night as did Nicholas and the Redhawks.  We celebrated and whooped it up.  The boys were given instructions by their coaches to rest, drink plenty of water and focus on the championship games to be held Friday night.  As luck would have it, the boys played at the same time -- at least the fields were next to each other so I could run (literally) back and forth to keep track of who was doing what.  Camera in hand, I was a busy grandma!

Zach Attack

Mighty Man Nicholas

It was wonderful to be able to stay at the house and have time with my grandsons on Friday.  We made a trip to the Donut Shop to pick up some breakfast treats, ordered pizza for lunch, and in between times enjoyed some one on one time.  As far as resting, their energy seemed to well up with each passing hour.  They feed off each other and, believe me, they are busy ones!!  They have a basketball hoop and game table in the upstairs game room ... video games ... nerf balls that don't take out the lamps ... and, love to pester and wrestle with each other.

Friday night was "game on."  The Longhorns tromped the team they were playing to come in as first place champions.  I was amazed at how in sync the team was ... each player knew what they were supposed to do and did it.  In nine innings they allowed only one run.  Zach was selected to move on to the All Star Team as pitcher and will continue his season in June.  Louisiana, here we come!!

The Redhawks came in second Friday night.  They were hoping for that number one spot but learned that tough lesson of someone wins and someone loses.  At six, they were just tickled pink to get that trophy.  Isn't that what a champion is?  Someone who knows they did their best and celebrates that as a victory!  Nicholas was also selected to move on to the All Star Team.  Mom and Dad will be busy getting boys to and from practice.  We're hoping that their games won't be played in different parts of the Dallas metroplex on the same day and time.




What makes a champion?  Is it good looks and a charming personality?  Well, that certainly doesn't hurt!  But, all in all, a champion has good character; is obedient; takes on the task at hand and does it to the best of his ability; is a team player; leads by example; puts in the time to be better than mediocre; is humble and honest; and, most of all knows the difference between winning at all costs and losing with honor.

The All Star game practices start this week.  Baseball is truly a family affair in my son's home ... He and Angie make sure that the boys are in tip top shape to play, get them to practices, and cheer them on at games.  I have the easy job ... I'm the cheerleader!!

May you be blessed with champions in your own family ... may your heart be filled with the joy that comes from Family - For Better or Worse!!  Remember, even champions fall off their horses a few times!!

Miss Dottie

PS  "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own.  But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

~~Philippians 3:13-14