I was just starting to fear the end of little league. Next week’s final game was looming, making me feel uneasy. My 12-year-old’s last season was wrapping up, and I stuck imagining what life will be like without baseball. Beginning with t-ball, then farm, AA, AAA, and finally majors, life has provided a rhythm for a good chunk of our lives.
With baseball not being his first sport, he hasn’t moved into the elite travel ball team status. He plays hard and is easy to coach. He shows up, listens, and performs well under pressure. I was beginning to wonder where he would go next. This doesn’t feel like something the parent of a 12 year old should be worried about-a washed up ball player at his age?
Then, like an answer to my worries, Little League announces a new division-for 11-13 year-olds. A division designed for kids like my son, who want to bridge the gap between Little League and juniors. Something for the regular kids.
But instead of celebrating the obvious solution to my problem, I created a new one. Click over to Yahoo! Shine to read more about my Little League situation, and how we may have a solution.
Jennifer Wolfe
Jennifer Wolfe, a writer-teacher-mom, is dedicated to finding the extraordinary in the ordinary moments of life by thinking deeply, loving fiercely, and teaching audaciously. Jennifer is a Google Certified Educator, Hyperdoc fanatic, and a voracious reader. Read her stories on her blog, mamawolfe, and grab free copies of her teaching and parenting resources.
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Comments: 8
Emily
June 9, 2012I’m so glad Dee led me here because I’ve been thinking about this SO MUCH lately. We’re just at the beginning of the process in some ways (my oldest is in first grade) but I realized recently that I only ever think of myself in terms of my relationships with other people: I’m a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, but when I try to think about myself as just a Self, just a person, sometimes I feel like there’s nothing there. It’s a new feeling for me and I don’t want it to last. I’m just not sure how to reconnect with myself now, in the middle of motherhood and marriage, or to rediscover who I am. Somehow though, I found your post really reassuring. Thanks!
Jennifer Wolfe
June 11, 2012Hi Emily, I’m glad you made it here, too! I know exactly how you feel about finding your ‘self’-sometimes it gets so lost inside being all those other people who we need to be every day…but also, sometimes that’s exactly how you find out who you are, too. She’s in there-just get quiet and listen once in awhile and she’ll come out!
Dee
June 7, 2012Dear Jennifer, I just read a posting by Emily at the following link:
http://thekeepingtime.blogspot.com/2012/06/real-joy-of-parenting.html
She too talks about the times of change in her children’s lives. I immediately thought of you and this posting of yours that I read yesterday. I left a comment on her blog about your posting. Perhaps you might enjoy reading her posting. Peace.
Jennifer Wolfe
June 8, 2012Thanks Dee! Her blog is great!
Dee
June 6, 2012Dear Jennifer, I think you put your figurative finger on the whole problem as letting go with the following paragraph: “Each completion brings me a step closer to my own mortality, to my own changes and progression forward. Each conclusion means that I need to re-find myself, to redefine who I am. I’m not only a wife or a mother or a teacher. I’m more than that.” For myself, I’ve found that each ending and each passing decade brings its own new possibilities. I’m sure you’re looking for then even now.
Peace.
Jennifer Wolfe
June 8, 2012Dee, I always enjoy your perspective…you are a wise woman!
My Inner Chick
June 6, 2012Mama W.
I love coming over her to visit you….
Have a good week. X
ahhh, life w/out baseball. 🙁
Jennifer Wolfe
June 8, 2012Thanks, Kim. I love it when you come over here, too!