Angel League

Angel League wrapped up the fall season this week and here are some highlights.

When Duncan first began playing several seasons ago, I didn't know what to feel. There's still a very real part of me that doesn't want to join this club. I am not "one of those" parents. I am not in that place, and quite frankly, I don't want to be. I am not ready to go there. And I don't know if I ever will be.

Some of the parents don't even come, I don't know their personal reasons but I can guess. Though I don't live their story, my own is similar enough to have some understanding of theirs. It's painful to watch other people pity your child. It is difficult to put the "not-so-normal" one on display. You can view your child anyway you choose but somewhere deep inside you know what other people see when they see him. You want them to see what you see.

The intelligent part of you knows that isn't even possible. And the selfish part wants it anyway. I want it anyway.

But as I get older I learn things. Not quickly, and sometimes it seems, not much. But I pick a few things up along the way. I have learned that if I will trust God's plan and let go of my own, the blessings will be abundant.

So I learned, that if I take my son to play baseball on the "special needs" baseball team he will be blessed. And so will I. More importantly, others will too.

We humans lose track sometimes that life isn't all about what we want. Sometimes taking Duncan to Angel League is still painful for me. I sit at home and have intelligent conversations with him about science and math and forget that he isn't "normal". Luckily, he never forgets that I am not.

Angel League has helped me to see the blessing he can be to this community. The hope he gives other people, the satisfaction he gives to those who give their time, and the love he gives to those he lets get close to him. God teaches people through Duncan. That's huge. And it's worth making me uncomfortable.