1-2-3!!!!!

Astutely my mother has pointed out that I haven’t written anything in over two weeks. She is correct and in that time span instead of writing I have been very busy with all the good things in life. Work is moving along (more on that later), softball is taking a life of its own and overall everything is outstanding. I am really enjoying coaching my daughter’s softball team and I had no idea what I was getting myself into! The fall season is “supposed” to be instructional and non-competitive and for the most part this is how I am approaching the season. I have received a few “mixed” signals along the way but I am trying my best to filter out those mixed signals. The practices are going very well and I am very fortunate to have a great deal of help from many parents. This is a huge help because there is no way I could do all of this by myself. I schedule out the practices and the girls are improving with every practice.

This past Saturday we had our first game and I was very impressed as to how well each team played. We came out on the short end of the score but it wasn’t for lack of effort. We had one bad inning and really didn’t hit the ball when we needed to. However; all in all losing 4-1 wasn’t so bad. I even got my daughter into the game as a pitcher and I was more nervous about this than anything else. This is a very big transition year for her playing with and against girls one year older and much bigger. She is such a great competitor and the last thing I wanted to do was demoralize her. Thankfully the opposite happened as she recorded a 1-2-3 inning as the opposing team went down without a fight. The timing could not have been any better since she was facing the bottom three players in their batting order; however; even though my daughter did receive some help from one of the players she pitched great and as she came off the field she was beaming from ear to ear. Last season it took her all year to produce a 1-2-3 inning and here she was in her first game with the 1-2-3 inning, I was so happy!!

Yesterday we played our second game of the season and unlike the first game our bats were alive and well. We didn’t have any bad innings and made quick work winning 8-2. My daughter didn’t get a chance to pitch (I am picking my spots with her this season) but she did collect her first hit and first run scored of the season. She hit a very solid single to right field and made her way to home plate all the way from first base. It was great telling her to go home as the throw from third went into left field and she scampered home. I am so blessed experiencing all these wonderful things in life, wow!!

I can’t forget my son and it does feel weird not being at his games as much I have in the past. The roles have reversed and I am more involved with my daughter but I did see a little of his first two games. He too is facing a transition year in baseball as he moves up to play with 9 and 10 year olds. The rules are certainly more like “real” baseball with wild pitches, stolen bases and ball fours. My son is still searching for his first hit having walked three times and struck out twice in the first two games. He just needs some confidence and he is a very slow starter. He was playing great at the end of last season and I do expect he will find his own as the season continues.

Work is moving along very well and of course there are ups and downs. My ups far exceed my downs but there is something that has come up over the past week that is just one of those things. No matter how far I am from my past my past is still MY PAST. I know I can’t change any of what has happened and yes, I am doing my damndest to ensure that it NEVER happens again. However; perceptions are perceptions and I can’t shake or shape those perceptions. Fortunately I have great bosses who understand and really don’t care about those perceptions. I wouldn’t be truthful if I said I didn’t care about those perceptions either because there is a small part of me that wants to smack myself in the head for those perceptions. It is one of those “it is what it is,” things. I have to deal with it as best as I can and know I am on the right path to a wonderful life because my life is wonderful beyond my wildest dreams. I have an exceptional wife, awesome children, incredible family and fantastic friends. I need to move forward in positive and thoughtful matter.

I did miss a Gamblers Anonymous meeting over the Labor Day weekend because we were having a picnic with some dear friends. The picnic went well and it was great to reconnect with these dear friends. Normally I would be able to attend a GA meeting during the week but due to softball practices I wasn’t able to get to a meeting until the following Sunday. I needed that meeting this past Sunday because it is that connection to GA that keeps me on the right road of recovery. Also I haven’t been so good in keeping in touch with my sponsor which I need to make a much better effort in the coming weeks. Life is great and there are those ups and downs that go with life. I have all positive in my life and I owe all of this to recovery. I realize that with recovery life for me does not exist and I need to stay focused each and every day!!