One day at a time

Character is often revealed in the face of adversity. It’s something that’s often demonstrated in the world around us. It’s amazing how some people are often at their best when the times are at their worst.

The Angels’ play since the injury to Kendry Morales is showing us once again that this team has tremendous fortitude. And while Morales’ injury may pale in comparison to other tragedies in the world (and in our case - at home); it is somewhat devastating in its own context. The possible impact it had on the Angels’ season was immense.

That being said, when Morales went down it caused me to pause. I thought that if the Angels were ever going to come together, it would be now; right in the face of the adversity because that’s just what they do. They simply find ways to pick themselves up and push forward and that isn’t as easy as it sounds.

The results of that effort has put them back on top of the American League West and quite frankly, it’s great to see the team back on top of the division. I hoped it would happen, but I didn’t necessarily believe it was possible. Yes, I had begun to think the season was lost. Shame on me for doubting.

The sad thing about the Angels’ great play of late is that I really haven’t been able to fully enjoy it. My father-in-law Charles is in hospice care at his home and everything else happening in the world seems somewhat irrelevant. I’ve been trying to keep up with all things Angels, but only because it serves as a welcomed diversion from time to time.

Cheryl and I missed every game of the last home stand to be with Charles. My wife Cheryl spends every waking moment by her dad’s side and I have to tell you that she’s been simply amazing.

This whole experience has been gut wrenching. It’s incredibly hard and it’s mentally exhausting, but she has managed to step outside of her comfort zone to do things that she never knew she could. Adversity does indeed reveal one’s character and my wife is a champion.

The details of watching someone go through hospice care are not for the faint of heart and yet my wife has found the inner strength to do whatever is necessary. Her faith carries her and her love for her dad fuels her. Her nerves are frayed; she’s mentally and physically exhausted; her heart is breaking and yet she pushes on.

Our days blend together and we often feel numb. I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone. It’s the second time for us; as I lost my father in 2007 to cancer.

I have tried to find a way to relate this horrible experience to baseball, but I’m not sure that I can. As we make our way through each day; not knowing what will unfold, I’ve even thought of this blog and at times felt like I should write something; anything.

It’s funny how this blog calls to me at times. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to build an audience and have put a lot of time and effort into making people aware of this blog. The moment I stopped writing, I felt like all the momentum I had built up started to vanish before my eyes. I’m not complaining mind you; I’m just sharing. I just haven’t had the energy or desire to write and felt that any effort I put into this blog would only be half hearted.

So why am I writing today?

I don’t really have an answer. Perhaps it’s because the Angels have miraculously made their way to the top of their division. Perhaps it’s simply just time. Ideas have been rattling through my head over the past week and what you’re reading now is the result of that process. I guess you could say my brain just couldn’t store any more ideas and I had to get them on paper.

Some say “Baseball is life.” I can tell you first hand, that this isn’t really the case. Baseball can enhance one’s life and it can play a huge role in a person’s life, but the game itself is not life.

It can reflect life or teach us life lessons and when it does that, it really is at its best. We learn this all the time and the Angels resurgence is a reminder.

I guess that at the end of the day I relate the way the Angels attack a baseball season with the way my wife has handled her dad’s fight with cancer. She has as much, if not more courage than any baseball player I’ve ever seen play the game; only she is doing what she needs to do in the quiet of her parents’ home and not in front of 40,000 fans. She is a warrior and although she would never see herself in that light, it’s absolutely true.

Every day is different. Every day is a challenge. All we can do is take things one day at a time. The good news is today we can tell Charles that his beloved Angels are in first place. That’s sure to make him smile. Come to think of it, it will make Cheryl smile too and I’m thankful for that.