Joey had a baseball game tonight and because it fell on the eve of the 4th of July many of Joey's teammates were unable to make the game. The coach sent out an email letting us know the team was short a few players but the opposition was willing to lend us a few of their players, unless we could find a few subs on our own. I casually mentioned to Todd that maybe Tommy, though two years younger than Joey and his teammates, could sub in on Joey's team for the night.
Joey immediately bristled at the idea and voiced his objection. I think in the back of his mind (maybe so far back he didn't even know why he was objecting) he didn't want his younger brother to be on his level or even have a possibility of showing him up. Tommy, however, was thrilled at the idea of playing with the big boys.
All day long the discussion went back and forth between Tommy and Joey. They talked privately behind closed doors time and again. Finally, an hour or so before the game, Joey decided he really wanted Tommy on his team. You can imagine the pride Tommy felt in his big brother's acceptance.
The boys suited up and we all headed over to the ballpark. Joey and Tommy marched over to the coach and Tommy was welcomed on to the team for the night. The boys followed their teammates out on the field for a few pregame drills, took the outfield together, and caught pop-up after pop-up. Neither one of them missing a beat. They looked great.
I watched as they exited the field, talking and laughing with each other. True friends.
All throughout the game the boys were shouting words of encouragement to each other. Joey did a great job at catcher and Tommy was the first one off the field patting Joey on the back and telling him what a good job he did. Every time they walked by each other there was a high five or a pat on the back. It was true brotherhood, just the way every parent hopes and dreams it will be for their boys.
I'm sure Tommy must have been very nervous walking up to bat for the first time but his brother's shouts of support had to feel good. At their first at bat both of the boys made it on base. The player in between them got out on second and when Joey stole second on the next play I was able to get a great shot of the dynamic duo with Joey on 2nd base and Tommy on 3rd base.
I have no doubt that if Ben were old enough to play, instead of cheering from the sidelines, all three bases would have been loaded with my boys and even more high fives, praise, and pats on the back would have been given on the sidelines.
I was so proud of my boys. Not only did they both play a heck of a game but their support and encouragement of each other was more than I could have imagined. The entire ride home was filled with kudos for each other. It was awesome. This mama's heart melted.
8 comments:
That is fantastic! Never got to experience that since my two athletes were opposite sexes, but I can totally imagine what a great feeling that must have been to witness!
This was so sweet! One for the memory books indeed!
betty
You may now bow and take credit for being a good parent, giving these children the security in love and the compassion for others that made them the little team they are.
It's awesome when you have those times. My boys are 12 and 10 and they are very close, and at each others throats all the time. I love watching their bond and I hope it stays there all their lives.
Aw, that's sweet!
Oh this gave me flashbacks! Good they were able to work it out so well between them. It can be difficult for an elder sibling if a younger one's foisted on them for an activity they've had to wait to be old enough to do, and that they might feel is "theirs". I guess Joey being part of the decision allowed him to feel the situation was under control, and also meant Tommy understood its value.
Lady Ella- I think the real problem comes in when Joey (the oldest) sees younger brother Tommy thriving at sports that he himself has to work at. That is difficult. And Tommy is very good at being humble and building Joey up, so that helps. But Joey can see that Tommy is a natural at certain things and that can smart. I told Joey that I understand it is HIS team so I completely understood if he just wanted to play (without Tommy). No big deal. But it ended up being so special. I'm proud of them both.
Love!
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