An upset coach, disappointed over losing and the grumbling of disgruntled parents blurted out,
“I wish I could find 13 orphans who could play baseball!”
In fairness, anyone who has volunteered to coach a sport, especially at a high level, has felt his pain, …and I did grin a bit when I heard it, but can honestly look back and say my experience with the parents of the players I coached was very positive.
I find it amazing how quick my smile turned to disappointment every time I read this card. With life being as short as it is, I had always accepted these parents in the light of what my grandfather would say, “You Reap What You Sow.” That was, until I saw an embarrassed kid in the dug out; head down and tears in his eyes.
Again, I was fortunate, the support I received from the parents of my players is something I brag about today. Something I will always cherish! Something I wanted every player to recognize and every parent to benefit from;
- Their sons to recognize the effort their Parents put forth and,
- yes, recognize their parents as Role Models
According to the State of Our Nation’s Youth Survey, “Fifty-seven percent say role models are family members. Of those, “36 percent say their mothers are their role models…[while] an additional 28 percent identify with their fathers.”
As hard as it may appear, all we can do is love them, continue to be there, and hope they will see it before they do something life altering.
As a coach and as a parent I was touched by Marc Mero’s video “A Mother’s Love.”
This video is truly worth sharing.
SHARE with your family and friends.
Until next Blog,
Al McCormick
