for grandmas: happy mother's day

For Grandma Angel: When I was young, maybe ten or 11, I played community baseball, and my position was pitcher. I was pretty good, throwing more strikes than balls. This one particular game I was on fire: all I had to do was pitch one or two more out and my performance would have been one of the big reasons for winning the game that day. It might have been a championship game, too. (For effect, let's agree it most definitely was.) In anticipation of a major victory, the crowds started chanting my name: "Winter, Winter! ... Winter, Winter!" Rather than provide the added incentive for me to maintain my roll, the cheering freaked me out. Soon, I cracked. I couldn't take it; the pressure was too intense. What if I walk this batter? What if I lose this game? What if I disappoint everyone who's watching today? What if...? Tears soaked my glove as I covered my face with it, and though what I did was run to the bleachers and to my mom for safety, what I wanted to do was crawl in a hole and stay there, forever. Rather than cover me with a blanket, walk me to the car, and drive me home, as I wished at that time she would've, mom returned my hug, looked me in the eyes, and told me to get back out there and finish the game: "You can do it, Winter! I know you can!" And so out back to the mound I went, one (or three) snotty tissue(s) later. Did I do it? Did I continue my streak of strikes and bring the team to victory that day? I have no idea; I don't remember a thing after that. But it doesn't really matter, because the point is that she has always been there for me like that, my mom, my biggest cheerleader. All my successes in life are in part due to her, and her constant encouragement. She's always told me I could do it, that I could throw that strike. And even if I didn't, I knew she would be proud of me for at least going back to the mound, for trying as hard as I could. Happy mother's day, Grandma Angel. I can only hope to be as encouraging to Baby Boh as you've been for me. You're a great mommy role model.

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For Grandma Brenda: Now that I have my own little boy, I promise to always take care of yours the way I would want my future daughter-in-law to take care of Boh: with a lot of love, and the recognition that I am not the only woman in his life. (In other words, I promise never to buy Justin a sky-diving lesson again!) Kudos on raising a son who turned into an extraordinary husband and father; thank you so much for lending him to me.