Walker loves the"button". Loves him. Looks up to him, thinks about him, dresses like him, orders a sub like him, washes with his body wash and basically tries to me a mini.
Walker is also the "gentle heart" in our family. He misses the "button", terribly.
Walker has had a project in school, the Bio cube. Basically, you pick a famous North Carolinian and write about that person and then present as that person. Oh, I was soooo getting an A. Charles Kuralt...stuffing Walker, making a backdrop where he could sit and present his story, I had it all figured out.
Hmmm....funny thing happened on the way to the Bio Cube.
Walker and I were in the car going somewhere and he asked me, "are you thinking about the "button" right now?"
"Yes". "Walker do you think that the "button" will get this all worked out?"
"Oh yes, the "button" is the next Josh Hamilton."
"Who is Josh Hamilton?"
Wow, my kid did his homework. Josh Hamilton is a famous Texas Ranger baseball player, who in 1999, signed for the most money as a first round draft pick. He was born outside of Raleigh, NC and is one heck of a ball player. Funny thing is, on his path to success, he got involved with the wrong gang, became a drug addict and was suspended for the NBL and became a grounds crew person after several attempts at rehab. Amazingly, after a few years, he still could throw a ball at 95 mph. He went before the National Baseball League, pleaded his case and his sobriety. He was signed to the Texas Rangers and just this week had the most amazing baseball week ever...a bunch of home runs,four to be exact and doubles and RBI's.
Screw Charles Kuralt. Josh Hamilton is cool and also covered with amazing tattoos. Josh Hamilton won the place in the Bio-Cube assignment.
What was most amazing was Walker's presentation to his class. While I wasn't there, a little bird did tell me that he was amazing. Oh, and not a bit of help from mom. Just his heart.
All you have to do is mention drugs and alcohol to a bunch of classmates who know your story and you become captivating.
And somebody asked, "did he go to jail?"
Walker explained to the class that jail just doesn't affect that person, it affects the entire family and just because you go to jail does not mean that you are a bad person.
So there, out of the mouths of babes. Rock on Walker.
Today is Walker's birthday. Ten. Ten years old. And wise beyond his years. The "button's " birthday is May 9, and Josh Hamilton was born on May 21.
Honestly, I just don't think that Josh Hamilton knows what kind of an influence he has had on our family. There is a ten year old who still has hope because of him and a 19 year old who feel like if Josh can do it, so can he. And if this happens, all three will be rewarded.
Somehow, I think that Charles Kuralt would have loved this story.
No comments:
Post a Comment