Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Jamie Hebron's Softball Student-Athlete Blog #6

It's amazing how fast peoples' lives can change. It makes me wonder if we really understand what that means until it happens to us. It's been a stressful week for me. Thursday after practice I received a text message from my mom that said my step-father was in the hospital, they thought he had a stroke. I immediately called and things seems alright, he was ok just needed to run some more tests to see what was causing the strokes, but he was fully functional and stable.

My sisters and I made plans to leave for Indiana as soon as possible. Unfortunately, soon wasn't really all that soon. Our softball team had a game in Spalding, Ky., the next day. You think four hours in a car there and another four back is a long trip? Try adding a car full of girls and not knowing what's happening with your family...it was a nightmare. I tried to keep it out of my head so it wouldn't affect my playing, and I think I did a fairly good job, but it was difficult to "leave it at the gate" as our coach would say.

I think it's very important to leave all unsoftball related matters out of your mind when you are practicing or playing, but it's not always an easy task. To make matters worse my sister had informed me that my stepdad had another stroke in the night and lost all movements in his left side. It was tough to push those scary thoughts out of my head, but it was a nice getaway while we played two good hard games. We won one and lost one. Everyone was dead tired on the way home, but we filled the time with singing. Yes, please imagine a bus full of girls singing church hymns and songs from an array of musicals. It was a sight to see and hear!

I'm happy to report that my stepfather is doing better. Through prayer and hard work he is gaining movement back in his left side. We spent all Easter break in the hospital with him, I think it was a blessing in disguise. Its so hard to see the man who is always smiling, taking care of everyone else, always ready with hugs lying in a hospital bed unable to do anything for himself. At first he just kept apologizing that we had to see him that way. I wasn't prepared for the wave of emotions I experienced over Easter, but it opened my eyes to see my family coming together, my friends and softball family texting and letting me know they were praying, and God working his miracles.

I can't believe it's almost the middle of April. Cristi told me today that there are only three weeks until senior day. That's so hard for me to believe! Time goes by so quickly. Our pitcher Lindsey was named pitcher of the week again for the second time, congrats Linds! Also, tomorrow is Angela's birthday, Happy Birthday G! This softball team truly is my family and my life would be drastically different without them. When you get us all together it's a crazy time, but I don't think any of us would ask for it any other way. I'm really going to miss it next year.

I hope everyone had a good Easter Break and you are looking forward to summer, but I especially hope you are cherishing every moment and telling the people around you how you feel about them, because life can change in an instant.

"The most important things in your life aren't things."
- Anthony J. D'Angelo

-J
(about Jamie)

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