Fast Pitch





	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" April 24, 2003 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart" You are receiving this newsletter because you requested a subscription or a friend generously forwarded their copy to you. To subscribe send a blank e-mail to subscribe@write2theheart.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ Tracy wanted to play softball for the high school team. She was never able to achieve her dream.here on earth. ------------------------------------------------------------ Fast Pitch In Heaven By: Diane Dean White ------------------------------------------------------------ We met Tracy the spring our youngest son was playing on the baseball travel team with her older brother. She was a thin, happy spirited little gal. Always with her parents to cheer for her brother and the team. She told me she had been playing softball with the girl's team in the nine-year-old division, and they were pretty bad, but she did her best and loved the game. She wanted to play fast pitch when she got older. I told her she was making a good start playing, even if they didn't always win! As spring turned into summer and we traveled throughout the state playing against teams in our division, I noticed when Tracy came her Mom was quite watchful of her actions, always concerned if there was a chill in the air. We sat in the area where Moms sit during the games, mostly on hard bleachers! (While Dads seem to stand near the coaches corner, ready to give advice if needed), A friendship began between Karen and I. Tracy was such a sweet and a loving child toward her family. I commented on this to Karen, and then she told me Tracy had leukemia and was in remission. She wanted more than anything to play softball with the league that year, and so the doctor gave her permission. Karen was afraid it was too much, but she had to believe that Tracy would beat this catastrophic disease, and placing her faith in God, wanting as normal of a life for Tracy as possible, she allowed her to play.They went to her games at the school field, which were held earlier in the day. One evening after a winning game our families went out to eat. Over pizza and salad, Karen told me Tracy was going to Children's Hospital the next day for her yearly check up. We wished them well, expecting things to be just fine. A couple of days later when we were at a game watching the boys, I noticed Tracy and her Mom weren't there. I made my way to Tracy's Dad, and asked him how the check-up had gone. "Not good," he said, "The cancer is back." Tears swelled in his eyes and I said how sorry I was to hear that. The baseball season ended, school began and Tracy started chemo treatments. It was a long process for her. She went to school as much as possible, and I kept in contact with Karen, praying for this little gal we all had come to love so much. Our daughter was graduating that spring, and although baseball resumed its place in our lives, we had an open house for our graduating senior, and invited Tracy and her family. Tracy looked a little thinner, but wanted her picture taken with our daughter, as she was wearing a new blonde wig! Everyone was going in so many directions that fall. I tried my best to keep up with Karen and how Tracy was doing. Her good days were getting to be fewer, yet they clung to hope and prayed God would spare her. On a sunny January day, Tracy gave up her battle with cancer, and the Lord took her to her new Heavenly home. While attending the funeral service we were happy to see Tracy's little friends were singing favorite songs she had liked. They wanted to make this day a celebration of Tracy's life. It was a beautiful tribute to a sweet little girl, from a loving Church family. The burial took place across from the school Tracy attended. Although a winter day, the snow was gone and the sun was shinning during the graveside service. At the end of the service the most beautiful sound came from the Church and the bells rang out a special hymn that day for Tracy. I'd never before been to a service where the bells rang out so loud, and all her friends and family were there to hear. Karen and I kept in contact after that, and she told me she was going back to school to become an RN. I wasn't surprised, she would want to work with children, and within a short time she was helping others going through hard times. We moved out of state shortly after that. The other night my daughter called with the sad news that Karen had passed away. She had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrigs disease a year ago. I thought of Karen and that cemetery where Tracy was buried, and the Church bells that would have played a special hymn again, and then I rejoiced! She was with her little girl, and they were both with our Lord. How beautiful that reunion must have been. I wonder if they play ball in heaven? Tracy never got her wish to play on the girl's softball team in high school. She no longer lives in pain, her body is whole. I'll bet she would be a fast little runner! And to be a player for the Lord's Team, with her Mother there to watch her. Wow! What a game that would be! Play ball, Tracy! Play ball! "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 30-31 Diane Dean White © Copyright 2002 Thelamb212 @ aol.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story, just remember to remove the space before and after the @ symbol. The space is placed in the address to protect our writers from viruses and email harvesting programs. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com ---------------------------------------------------------------- Diane is a former newspaper reporter and freelance writer. She and her husband Stephen are the parents of three grown children, and two grand-gals. They make their home on the South Carolina Coast where Diane continues her love for writing.Her new book "BEACH WALKS," a collection of heartwarming stories, is now available. For more information, visit http://bw.newsmoose.com Visit Diane's webpage for women, called SEEDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?thelamb212 -------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- Letters From Our Readers -------------------------------------------------------------- Hello, This was such a wonderful story that I cried. But that is nothing new for me. You can just ask the author Mike Anderson.... he used to be my boss and continues to be my friend. LaDonna Lowe Canton Georgia Congratulations, Mike, on writing a wonderful story about "Bobo". I couldn't wait to get to the end of the story, not just to find out what happened, but to see if this was the Mike Anderson that is in my writer's group! I started suspecting it was when he used the parentheses that he is so famous for in the part about everyone dancing in the aisles. Hope to see more stories by him! Rose Wade-Schambach Great story of Bobo! I too have a "Bobo" in my life. They are wonderful, precious gifts from God!! Brenda Coats What a sweet and sensitive story by Michael Anderson about his younger years with his Grandmother. I remember how popular Elsie the Borden Cow was back then. I used to wave at the drivers when they went by in the milk trucks! Such wonderful memories for Michael. I'm glad his children got to know her too! Diane Dean White --------------------------------------------------------------- Military Prayer Reminder --------------------------------------------------------------- As you read over this list of names, please take that moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Thaddeaus Howard Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. --------------------------------------------------------------- Chocolate Alert! I know that got your attention! I am working on a chocolate cookbook to be given away on Write 2 the Heart's web site. This work in progress is tentatively called "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." Anyone who would like to join in the delicious fun, send a chocolate recipe with a brief bio to be included after each recipe. Send as many as you wish. --------------------------------------------------------------- Cheryl's Corner David rode me on the back of his motorcycle to get a newspaper. When I came out of the store and jumped on the back of the bike, it would not start. A man tried to help push it off, but nothing doing. It was a good thing we were just a few blocks from the house, I walked home. When he pushed that hunk of metal into the driveway he discovered that a switch had been thrown, killing it. That night our friends wanted to know why I wasn't coming to South Dakota on the motorcycle with him. I told David to tell them I'm not going anywhere farther than I am willing to walk! God Bless, Cheryl ----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------- © 2003 Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.