Proverbs and Baseball

Years ago, I saw this picture in a gift shop.  I bought it.  I keep it in my kitchen where I spend most of my time.  It speaks to me.












Baseball is a big deal in our house.  

Baseball is how I met most of my friends when we moved here.  
Baseball is how the "button" got into wrestling.


I love to watch the T-Ballers in their uniforms, pants dragging on the ground, belts pulled to the last hole with moms and dads with video cameras.  I love to see the fellas shutting their eyes at bat on the ones who close their eyes when a ball comes to them and then the surprise look when the realize they actually caught the ball.

I love seeing the boys grow and understanding the game.  I love the grandma's with the spirit shirts that say "so and so's Nana" on the back.  I love the announcers who mispronounce names and the boys yelling up to the announcers box.  I love when the expressions on their faces when they know the did well.  


I love watching those darling little T-ballers grow into men.

Three years ago, Walker was asked to do a project on a "famous" North Carolinian.  While others went for the creator of Pepsi or Micheal Jordan...Walker chose Josh Hamilton.  I had no idea who he was.

But, I quickly fell in love with Josh and his family.  He is the famous major league baseball player from NC.  And he is near and dear to my heart.

Not for his athletic abilities but for his strength, his honesty and his faith.

Josh came from a great home, loving and devoted parents and a grandma with guts.  He was a star athlete who was given a handsome signing bonus at a young age to join major league baseball.  All was good.

Until that fateful day in a tattoo parlor, bored and confused...all hell broke lose.  Drugs, drinking, denial and finally, kicked out of major league baseball.  Josh  had it all and lost it.

Until his Grandma said "stay with me". Josh got high in her house and then stopped.  He did it the old fashioned way.  After several rehab attempts, he quit.

He got strong and he came back.  He made it back into baseball.  And, he is thriving.


I personally recommend his book, Josh Hamilton, Beyond Belief.  Quick read.  Will touch your heart and change your life.


Josh is our sign of HOPE.  

Walker's bucket list includes...Complete Hunter's Safety Course (done), see Josh Hamilton play and go to a Pittsburgh Steeler's game. 

In April, my dear baseball loving friend and I decided that he needed to cross off the Josh Hamilton line in Camden yards (an awesome ballpark).

Tuesday, I told the kids to get up (6am) and get in the car.  We were going on a road trip.

They guessed and guessed and guessed.

Finally, after we had passed about 500 Baltimore Oriole Billboards, he asked timidly (as if not to be disappointed)  "are we going to an Orioles game?"

I just smiled.

He said, "against Pittsburgh?"  

I didn't answer.  I forgot about smart phones.  I looked over and he speaks into his phone "who do they Baltimore Orioles play tonight?"

I will never forget the look on his face when he got the answer.

He was like Charlie opening that candy bar and seeing the golden ticket.

He remained calm and quiet most of the day, taking in the big city, the stadium.  All of it.  Our seats were in the outfield, but Josh was injured and didn't field.  He did hit.

Four for five and a home run.  How awesome.

The next day, on the return trip home, (and I don't suggest going up and back in 24 hours if you are older than   50), I asked..."so was the home run the greatest part of the night?"

His reply?  "No, just seeing him, just being there, just knowing he is okay."  

Kicked my heart.  I am not sure if he was talking about Josh or his brother or if he understood how Josh' s parents must have felt so many times.  It maybe all three.

Walker said it was the greatest night of his life.  Heart warmer.

Friday I get the call.  "Mom, can I come home?"

I had prayed for six weeks he would be safe.  That is all I wanted.  Safety.  And if God was listening, I would take enlightenment, maturity and wisdom.  And the teaching of Proverbs.  But seriously, safety was my number one prayer.

After six weeks of being homeless and working and carrying luggage wherever and bathing wherever, the call came.

Hmmmm.  What do answer?  I did not know.  

There have been many questions that have been asked...many answers given.  

Being and staying straight is the only ticket into my home.  Permission granted.  Prayers.

This past weekend, my dear friend, a former teacher of Josh Hamilton's, (I almost wrote an old teacher of Josh Hamilton's) also went to see him play with her family.  

He signed two baseballs and gave one to each of her son's.  This morning, I was looking again at the picture and I noticed that he had put a scripture on each of the balls.  I read the scriptures this morning.  I felt peace.   I thought that maybe Josh's mom had the same saying I do in her kitchen.  He came back.

I sit here this morning in this still, quiet house.  It is gray inside.  Thunder storming like mad outside.  You can only hear the rain falling and falling and falling.  

All the beds are occupied.  My son is safe.  And, Walker got it out.  He told his brother how he felt.  (that was like a home run)

And I think he has some smelly growth tucked into that backpack, along with humility and maturity in his wet suitcase. 

Today starts a new chapter.  A new batter to the plate.  A new inning.

No home runs needed.

"No, just seeing him, just knowing he is okay."

Thanks Josh Hamilton for instilling HOPE and FAITH into our home.