The Kindness of Strangers

Last week I placed a post up here on TBR re: my dd and my concerns about when enough was enough and my concerns that I might be missing that my dd had reached that point. Turns out I should not have been concerned about when enough was enough, but what seemed different, off, about my dd that would have me questioning when enough was enough.

Sunday I received a PM from softballjunkie who not only provided sage words of wisdom, but pointed my daughter to the batting instructor that works with his dd.

And it struck me, on the way home from our session with this instructor, how the kindess of strangers - whether intentional or unwittingly - can have such a huge impact on another person.

I discovered many things about my dd today at this session, the biggest one being that batting off a tee in the rain was more than her normal dedication, but turned out she had been driven to a state of sheer panic: Three different coaches instructing/adjusting her batting mechanics and the mental impact those conflicting instructions have had on her.

Amazing how hearing the words "forget everything you have been getting told and just hit the ball" can change a kid. Even more so, how being told by a batting instructor that he would not change anything about your mechanics when she can "pound a ball like that", who continually built her confidence by applauding great hits and gentle reminders to do what she do when she would falter can do for a kid.

After 30 minutes in a cage with balls flying at her, my dd who never gets enough, felt so good about herself, her mechanics and her abilities that she asked if we could just use our tokens another day because "It's all good now."


Thank you, softballjunkie, in case you don't see your pm, for your intentional kindness that unintentionally revealed a problem causing my dd great stress, and inadvertently put her heart at ease.

 

Great post!

Hats off to all you guys/gals involved in that story! I would like to add another heart warming story to that. A TBR regular on here, Ghostrider and I have been in the past rivals either in rec ball or school ball for what seems like forever. Yesterday at a hitting camp we were talking about school ball (of course) and he was watching all the girls hitting. After the session was over my DD came walking over to us ready to go and as a sign of good jesture, he gave her the "ole knuckle bump" and said good job. It truly made her day that he has ALWAYS been so nice to her every time he sees her at the field. My hat is off to you, Joe for being there to boost her moral! Best of luck to Julia!

 

Thanks

Thank you TP16 for your kind words. I think you and I share the same concerns and have the same objective. Getting through HS the best we know how! They have enough drama with parents, friends etc. without adding to them. Good luck to you and I will try and keep an ear out for your DD and her HS season.

 

nobody should overlook this important statement.

i've always said that my job here at tbr is to get people talking. that's it. when we talk, we share. when we share, we learn. when we learn, we grow. it's a wonderful cycle.

this is real change -- and, triad, you should not miss out on the fact that this real change began with you sharing your situation last week.

thanks.

 

Such a great inspiration! It is great to be able to voice our concerns here and actually find like minds. The best way to work things out is to talk! I commend all of you here at TBR!

 

Welcome to TBR !!!

We the Denver Dazzle 18 & Under wish the 12 & under " Lady Heartbreakers " a successful 2008 softball season.

Guru

 

Never, ever, miss the opportunity to let these girls know they are special, loved and appreciated. I'm sure you guys, like me, have seen far too many of them that you can tell never get that anywhere else. It always humbles me when a young lady that I coached only briefly, some number of years ago, makes it a point to speak to me years later. We make a difference in things that have nothing to do with balls and strikes. The choice is our as to what kind of an impact we make.

 

Thats Perfect!!....

...this is what we, "the family", the "TBR family is all about". I'm glad that it working in a positive way for you. Larry D. has a saying about ships are safe in the harbor, but thats not what ships are for! If you'll think about that saying I feel sure all of us will agree that as all "ships" venture, its inevitable that they will struggle and require some fixes to help them continue on their way. Its cool when we can see the results of our efforts as parents, our kids interest and their enjoyment of this game, and the BEST intentions that come from the knowlegable folks in the TBR family.

 

Thanks Crazecoach

I just love watching girls Fastpitch Softball. I really do miss coaching and after coaching for 20 years (Football, Basketball, Baseball, Softball) it was hard last year sitting in the stands for the first time. I'm sure it will be better this year still making that adjustment.
You know crazecoach there is alot of houses over here at St. Stephens for sale. We would love to have your DD over here.
Good luck this year in HS and TB this year.

 

LOL, already looking

Just kidding, I can't take her out of her school and away from friends.(Disclaimer for people causing trouble)****I already help coach wrestling at Hickory Rec. and along with Billy and Roy with "Catawba rasslin" . That would be great though!