"More than a Game"
For those of us who experienced yesterday's game it was much more than that.
Coach did one heck of a job in keeping the kids focused. There was so much emotion.
When Madi threw out the final runner at 2nd base to end the game I, along with all the other parents's present, and I am sure for those who watched from afar online, was flooded with so much emotion-happiness and sadness all at once.
It was truly an experience I had never gone through before and hope to never again. My legs became weak and everything seemed to be in slow motion. I asked myself,"why did that girl try and stretch a single into a double?" I'm glad she did.
I can only imagine what the girls were feeling. All that emotion bottled up inside-hoping, praying for a win. When it happened those emotions that were kept intact the whole game, once it ended, they no longer could hold it in any longer. Tears, hugs, joy, sadness and so much more shown on their beautiful faces. Mixed emotions were prevalent.
I can say I was never more proud of a team in my entire life. To overcome incredable odds and an emotional week says so much. This team beat a very worthy opponent and they all had a part in it whether they played in it or not.
One fly ball hit the top of the center field fence for BU and bounced back in fair ground.
As many of you text me"there is an angel in the outfield."
"Ray knocked it down," coach said.
The word team means so much more to me today. They showed us the meaning of TEAM!
You all should be so proud of your child and the rest of them as well. Their performance speaks volumes.
I was much more than a game yesterday...
They say things happen for a reason and I know it must be so hard for those who were so close to him, asking why Ray? We have no real answers at this time.
Yesterday's game, as I sad was very emotional.
How the coaches guided them all this week in unfamiliar territory was truly amazing. We all thank them for that.
I'm an emotional person as many of you know from being tossed against Florida A&M on our trip south. What happened yesterday was a different emotion on a different level.
When the last out was recorded I was flushed with sweat. It overwhelmed me. The joy and sadness combined in all of us, especially the kids, and seeing those kids and coaches hugging and crying was surreal.
When my daughter Britt text me yesterday that she was starting she also wrote,"I'm winning this for Big Ray." She truly believed and all her teammates believed, together that under the most trying and difficult circumstances they refused to lose for Ray, Donna and MC. What they learned was as a team anything is possible and achievable!
Girls, you may not understand everything that went on yesterday but it's something that you will carry and pass on the rest of your lives.
Thus I think this is one of the reasons this may have happened, to teach these young ladies a lesson in adversity.
To teach them to treasure each day.
to make everyday a good day, no matter what.
To love always, and love everything you do.
To care and share.
Thank you Donna, MC and Ray for these life lessons.
God bless you all and we will always-Remember Ray-and the smiles he put on so many faces.
Thank you.
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Donna & Lauren;
It was a honor and a pleasure to have known Ray. I was amazed that he would come to every one of MC's games from such a distance.
What a dedicated father! Be forever proud of that Lauren!
I enjoyed talking, joking and spending time with him out in the Dog Pound! The Boston-Philly rivalry was on!
Ray too, was extremely lucky to have the two of you as much as you having him. It was obvious he loved you both so much.
I loved giving him the stats of the opposing teams over the past few years especially this year with his illness and all.
I know he understood me and he acknowledged it. I know if he could speak he would have said some cool response.
So in this difficult time please remember he made a lot of people happy. Those smiles he created will always live on the faces he put them on. When he is remembered, which will be often, people will smile! What better legacy could a man ask for-he made people want to be around him. We enjoyed that.
Although I was saddened when Britt text me this AM to say she was sorry to tell me of his passing, I took comfort in knowing we all, in our own way, helped comfort him.
I'm glad he got to see all of the softball family after Saturday's games when we could all just say,"hi Ray." I feel he had a good time in the Bulldog Room.
My heart is heavy today for the two of you and I will not try to imagine what you are going through for only those who experienced it can truly understand. The knot in all our stomachs are real, however it just shows what an impact he had on all our lives.
We all will-Remember Ray!
Bless you both, and we will see you soon.
Your friend.
