Baseball Resumes

We returned to the world of baseball practice yesterday afternoon. It has been SO hot here lately, that I dreaded that it would be an awful time. Turned out, it wasn't. About 85 degrees, with a cloud cover, and a cool breeze blessing us intermittently. The best part was seeing the other team moms and sitting on the bleachers with them. This is the first time we have started a sport with the same team that we played on previously. By the end of the season in the spring, I actually knew most of the boys' names and which parents belonged to them. Which for me is a major feat. I am HORRIBLE with names. A little better with faces, but so, so bad with names. Baseball blesses me because many of the boys have their names painted on their helmets and gives me a visual cue several times each game  who they are. I do really well with visual pictures of a face with the name right over it.
As we pulled in the parking lot of the field, I immediately saw two people I recognized. And felt joy wash over me. So cool to know people. To not be the stranger just joining the group. We exchanged greetings and I felt like a part of a community. One of the worst part of moving as much as I have is always starting over with no friends. Baseball has been an unexpected way to build a social group. I didn't know that the moms hang out on the bleachers three times a week for two hours, visiting with each other (plus during games up to twice a week.) That the boys would be so inclusive, even if someone's skills weren't at the top of the team.
I always assumed that church would be the best place to make new friends. Ours has blessed me with several dear friends that I really respect, but most live far away and church is so huge that I mainly stay connected through Facebook. Baseball has widened my horizons. Introduced me to women of different faiths and women of no faith. Sharing my adoption journey with them yesterday was incredible. They had never even heard of the situation in Sub-saharan Africa with the AIDS/orphan crisis. And they were so supportive of the journey we will be taking over the next three months. Wow. A new support group. I just feel blessed.

Allen, of course, had a ball. Had his newly painted batter's helmet to show off. Ran around doing his best and renewing old friendships. Didn't play all that well, but I know he'll improve as practices continue.

In the meantime, I'll look forward to my community on the bleachers.