THE BLEACHERS

It’s a FLASHBACK.

I’m sitting in the bleachers at a Little League game.

AGAIN.

Only this time I’m cheering for my grandkids.

I cherish fond memories of ballgames and soccer fields with my kids two decades ago. Those will never be replaced because there were life lessons learned both on the field and in the bleachers. It built character and made us who we are.

Now it’s a NEW SEASON.

More LESSONS, unconditional LOVE, new MEMORIES, and CHEERS from the heart for a whole new generation.

In this new season, I move a little slower, but laugh a little harder.

BATTER UP . . .

KINDNESS . . . IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

KINDNESS doesn’t just MATTER … it can make ALL the difference.

Two women raising their two sons in my daughter’s Utah neighborhood put a pride flag up to celebrate their love, unity, and devotion to family.

Someone thought otherwise and ripped their pride flag into pieces and smashed the lock on the back door. The couple was devastated and raw feelings of hurt from betrayal by haters rose to the surface.

HATE was unacceptable in this neighborhood and so neighbors came together to cover that hate with LOVE.

Neighborhood moms and their kids hung a new flag and plastered this home with hearts. Cards inscribed with tender thoughts of love were written by children and left on the front doorstep. It was a colorful and beautiful display of UNITY.

Consider the lessons of KINDNESS learned that day by young, impressionable minds.

When the owners saw what their neighbors had done, they wept. The tender message from this neighborhood was intentional and clear.

We embrace DIVERSITY.

We are ONE in COMPASSION.

We LOVE.

THE WILD RAG

Can an OLD COWBOY with weathered skin and gnarled fingers from mending fences still MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

The old pickup truck pulled into the grocery store parking lot. With a list in his pocket, the cowboy made his way to the entrance. As he walked through, he noticed a little boy sitting in a wheelchair. The little boy's body was thin and twisted with a physical disability.

"Mom, there's a cowboy!"

The cowboy stopped and knelt down beside the boy so he could speak to him at eye level.

"Have you been a good boy?"

"Yes!" said the boy. His eyes shined with delight that the cowboy had noticed him.

"Well, then I have something for you," smiled the cowboy.

He untied the wild rag - a silk handkerchief worn around his neck and tied it around the little boy's neck.

"Then this is yours. My gift for a good boy."

The little boy's face lit up. For a moment he felt important. Invincible. The cowboy nodded at the boy. Eyes were locked. Hearts connected.

When the cowboy stood up, he was surprised at the crowd that had gathered. Customers and grocery employees stopping to witness the tender event. The little boy's mother was crying.

As the old cowboy pushed the grocery cart through the store, he silently thanked God for the opportunity. It was only a moment, but he hoped he had made an impression.

I'm still learning from this old cowboy.

Reminded that I need to NOTICE.

That SMALL MOMENTS can make a BIG DIFFERENCE.

Lessons learned from this old cowboy.

My dad.