The End of the Season.

Anabelle had her last softball game last night and it was great. She had so much fun playing ball this year. It was so fun to watch her play. She is the smallest girl on the team with most of the other girls being at least a full head taller than her. Her team shirt looked like a dress on her, but that's ok. She really took her season seriously. You all would have laughed to see her get all serious and squint at the pitcher. She didn't hit any home runs but consistantly got base hits. She was just there to have fun and I am glad that she had this opportunity. Her team was the "Fruity Pebbles" and they had bright red shirts.

As she was on the field, playing shortstop, I watched her and thought of how quickly time flies. I don't want her to grow up. Not yet. At the beginning of the season we took her shopping for a glove. She refused everyone we showed her. We did go home with a bright pink batting helmet, a ball, a new bat, and water bottle. But.... no glove. When we got home we told her that we were going to have to go out the next day and get one and she said that she only wanted to use "Daddy's Red Glove". Bob still has his glove from when he was little and it's actually the perfect size for her little hand. Soooooo... she used "Daddy's Red Glove" the entire time. As she played different games throughout the season she took such good care of "Daddy's Red Glove". When it was her team's turn to bat she would keep the glove next to her on the bench. She didn't throw it in the dirt like the rest of the kids. She took such good care of it. Even at home she had a place for the glove. I was thinking the other day, about "Daddy's Red Glove". It's been on a lot of kids' hands. It's seen a lot of action. It's one of those tangible things that has touched a lot of little kids' lives. If this little red glove could talk it would tell us of Bobby Chapman's youth. It would tell of Mike, Steve, and even Amy's t-ball and softball games. It would tell how David and Bob used to throw the ball back and forth for hours on end. It would tell of the time Megan pitched a fit because she wanted to use "Daddy's Red Glove" instead of the brand new one we bought her. It would tell of the times Robby used it and was upset because a kid on his team grabbed the glove and threw it in the dirt. It would tell of Andrew and Nathaniel taking such great care of it. And Now, another season has ended and another Chapman has had the opportunity to become friends with "Daddy's Red Glove".

More tomorrow..

Love you.
Mary