It's no easy task. You have children, you raise children, you try and teach right from wrong. You bathe them, clothe them, hug them, yell at them, snuggle with them, teach them to speak, teach them manners, respect, pride and you would hope that through all of it, a nice, strong, confident young man or woman would grow up to take on the world's challenges.
A mother's work is never done. A mother does not get the love and respect they deserve. Now you and I will do everything we can today to make sure Ma feels loved, but why not every day? I don't do this enough in my own life, but I often reflect on the sincere, loving moments of my youth when mom came through in a pinch. When I needed a little push, a little encouragement. Trust me there were times that I was not strong enough to do something or say something to show self-respect and my mom in her loving, forceful manner would try and try until she'd snap and look at me and say, "OK, enough of this, just do it." What she was saying was "Don't be a pussy, this is life and you have the confidence... FIND IT." And she was right. So many moments in my life I would take a beat think, "Can I?". But ultimately, I would try and do whatever it was I was trying to accomplish. Sometimes it would not work out. Other times it did. But in the end, what mom was saying was, "Do it... what can happen? If you succeed, you did it. If you fail, you learn from it." In other words, Mom knows the plan already... they just want you to find it on your own feet, with your own heart, to find your own confidence as a human being.
I started Bleeding Yankee Blue in 2010. It was a labor of love. It still is in some regards although the world moves pretty fast and I really can't give it the time I want to. Now my kids were little when it all began and now they are grown... my youngest are 14. But I look back at my life here and I think about all the little nuggets I have put forward on BYB about life lessons and confidence and learning experiences and strength in ones self... much of it comes from my mom, but a lot of it comes from my wife as well. She is the rock in my house. She knows the schedules, the events, she understands how to speak to the school educators when I want to ride them for giving my kids a bad grade. She knows when to yell and when not to. I am in awe of her. I'm in awe of her the same way I look back on all the things my mom did when she helped raised my brother and I when we were young. A mom's job is thankless. We don't give them enough credit. I almost feel terrible to think that I only truly think about this one time a year... today. But here's the bottom line... Mothers are amazing, we should be talking about it all the time.
And so, if you are a mom, relax today, but going forward, don't be afraid to pamper yourself a little more. If you have a mother, call her today, see her today, hug her today. I am lucky enough to have both parents in my life still. I'm blessed. My kids are blessed to have their mom and their grandparents. But sometimes in their life of growth and maturity and becoming adults and young adults I need to often remind them to stop once in a while and reflect on the moments, the love and support our mothers give every day. The job is hard... the job is tough... but they do it... because they love us, and they want us to succeed.
I found this story online on Facebook. Now while not everything on Bleeding Yankee Blue is about the Yankees, I try my best to relate a lot of stuff to sports and baseball whenever I can. This story or article speaks to mothers in youth sports and all they do for their kids. Yes, many dads run youth teams, but it's the moms behind the scenes that do so much more. So Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. You are incredible people and deserve a huge Thank you. Check this out, it's from the Heart of Youth Baseball:
"Baseball has been known as a man’s game for many, many decades. The coach is a man. The scorekeeper… a man. The umpire… a man. The game is surrounded by sometimes fit, or sometimes out of shape coaches, some of them yelling… many of them teaching… some of them have it all figured out... and yes, all of them... MEN.
Even the assistant coaches are men! You know, the ones helping because they were asked too… but really don’t know what they’re doing. It’s true… and we all know a coach or 2 like this.
But for many young baseball players, the fondest memories of baseball are because of a woman. A very, strong woman. Your mother.
Mom is always there. Through thick and thin, no matter what... mom is always involved in your baseball life.
Mom helps get you to practice and to your games on time. Mom’s the one that makes sure you have your water bottle. The one who will bring you your cup and chest protector because, it doesn’t really matter how many games you’ve needed it for over the years, you still manage to forget it. But not your mom. Don’t worry, she’s on it! Mom always saves the day!
Mom is the one that will cheer for you in the stands... the one wearing the cool sunglasses on those hot summer days, and the one wearing the scarf and heavy coat on those crisp fall games. Warm or cold... even damp games... mom is there.
Mom’s the one that will cringe if you let up that 2-run home run, but let you know that it’s “just a game”. Yet she’ll make sure you know that you were awesome hitting that 3-run single and it’s “more than just a game”. That’s mom... always finding the positives in baseball.
Mom makes sure the car is warm after those rainy, cold nights. She’ll even have a blanket for you in the car, just because she knows how hard you worked out there. And if you play your cards right... even if you lose, that hot chocolate will still be waiting for you when you get home. And that loss is forgotten by the time your head hits the pillow.
Mom will clean that filthy uniform. That’s right… even the worst of stains… it doesn’t matter. Your pants WILL be spotless next game, because she knows how important it is...not only for your team, but to you... and her. Appearance is everything!
Your mom will buy you ice cream after a big win… and will hug you hard after a bad loss. She’s always there to talk… and even if you’re frustrated about a bad call or a ripped batting glove. Mom takes the brunt of it, because to her, you're a ballplayer, and she knows it’s passion… not true anger.
And when it’s all said and done… after the hustle and bustle of getting you to and from the practice, making sure you’re fed before game time, making sure you have your bat and first baseman’s glove, spikes and eye black, and that uniform perfectly pressed, Mom will make sure you always keep your chin up no matter what.
Because even if you have a bad game, you’re number one in her eyes always.
“Do your best. Never give up. I’m proud of you. Keep working hard. I support you. I love you. You’re my champion.”
That’s mom. That’s what moms do. It’s a mother’s voice and presence that makes everything OK at the end of the game. She’s your rock. She’s your motivation. She’s your biggest fan. Without mothers in baseball… ballplayers would never have such drive and motivation to be as great as they can be.
Because mothers are the unspoken glue in this whole game. They are thanked WAY too little, yet moms aren’t even looking for that.
What a mother is looking for is that you are always happy in this game, and always prepared to be the best you can be out there.
So, the next time you play your game... maybe even today… do the right thing. Give mom the day off from her business of getting you prepared for this game. Do that yourself today... and go big for her!
But always listen to her words… because in the end, it’s a mother’s voice that inspires us all to be truly great out there. It’s her wonderful actions, her support and her soothing tone that helps you as a young ballplayer... to keep pushing toward being a success in this game...
“Do your best. Never give up. I’m proud of you. Keep working hard. I support you. I love you. You’re my champion.”
Happy Mother’s Day, moms.
You’re appreciated. You are our champion too."
Bleeding Yankee Blue Chief & Head writer
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