Faith wanted her friends, who are also softball players, mostly pitchers, to come along. She invited her 4 best friends and their siblings, as well as, Jalapeño Maddie and her family. I continue to be blessed with an employer and co-workers who get that sometimes you just gotta go, so I left work early to host this little party. I was starting to get excited. This is gonna be awesome!!! Jaime and I pick up all of the kids and attempt to get their hands washed and the front room ready with kids, snacks, and seating when Tatum squeals, "she's here, she's here"! She's early. A mad stampede of adolescence to the front door. Poor Dallas never knew what hit her! I push my way through the mass of little girls and give Dallas a big hug. She came! Exhale, she came. Half of the battle is over. Now what? The girls aren't quite sure what to do. Dallas was a little early, so we didn't have time to give instructions or advice to girls, but they did great. They all found a place to sit, got their snacks and then sat quietly, too quietly at first! Awkward! It was a slow start. I am guessing that the girls felt nervous and unsure of how to proceed, but Dallas was so warm and talkative that they began to relax and clearly enjoy themselves. It was nice to have this group setting of young ladies! She shared with them how nervous she gets when she is pitching in front of a big crowd and how many hours a day she practices. She told them about her military dad who worked her to the point of tears, tears she only shared with her mother because she didn't want her dad to see. Dallas admitted that she didn't get to go to very many sleepovers due to her hectic practice and game schedule. She illustrated all of the hard work and sacrifices she's made to be the best at what she does. Sounds like a real downer, but it wasn't. It was clear that she loved it and that she still does! Dallas shared with them that even on her worst day, she still enters the field in a good mood, resolute to keep her bad day to herself. Her stories and advice were all very genuine, heart-felt and uplifting.
This meeting was supposed to be for the girls, but I realized that I needed it to. It was so enjoyable to talk to her. She was so easy going and fun! It couldn't have been timed better, too. I was really feeling badly that Faith read my words of doubt that I had never spoken out loud to her. Perhaps those words had left her feeling a little uncertain about her future, too, but if she was she forgot all about it. At least for the moment. I hope that Faith will remember what Dallas shared with her about hard work and determination. She will need it in her back pocket to pull out when she feels like giving up. I will need it, too!