Missing the obvious

Yesterday I read with some sadness the story of a young lady who died at a Chicago Cubs baseball game. If you didn't hear about it, here is the story.

Maureen Oleskiewicz

It seems she died doing something she truly loved, as the article indicated she was a huge Cubs fan. And she was at the game with her brother. I can identify with that, because going to games with sisters has been a big part of my life. And it's probably also why the story really grabbed me.

One thing that shocked me was the way it all happened. It seems that when Ms. Oleskiewicz choked on a hot dog, she was so unable to breathe that she didn't make any noticeable choking sounds. Or screams. From what I can tell, she just passed out from the lack of oxygen and fell over. That was the first her brother knew anything was wrong. By the time they got medical help, it was too late.

It's hard for us to understand how that could happen. How could he not know anything was wrong?

But you know, I think I walk around like that every day. I try to care about people - love my neighbor as myself. But I sit next to people at work, at a restaurant, at a movie, and yes, at a ball game...and don't have a clue what trouble might be brewing in their lives. There's got to be some, because I know I've got my share. And so do you, right?

How great would it be if I were sensitive enough to know when someone was throwing out subtle hints that they want help? Instead, I cruise along in my own little world making sure my own needs are met. But that's not what we were made for. We were made to love each other - pray for each other, help each other, listen to each other. And whatever else might clear up some of one another's personal darkness.

Should the young lady's brother have been able to tell she was choking? Perhaps, but I understand how he missed it since she was able to cry out for help.

May I be willing to cry out when I need help with my life...and listen for others who might be wanting to.

Processing

December 7. April 19. September 11. And now April 15.

So many dates. So many events where most of us will remember exactly where we were when we "heard the news." And today was another one.

It is hard to put into words just how shocked and sickened we all are as we process what happened at the Boston Marathon today. It's hard to believe people can be this sick, this callous, this evil.

But I as process it, I keep coming back to two thoughts. Two things that I already knew but it's at times like this that I find out whether they are just platitudes or I really believe them.

1. The good world that God created is full of brokenness.
2. God is sovereign and working out his good and perfect will in everything that happens. Everything.

Does he care? Absolutely. He entered the world in the person of Jesus to experience death and suffering on our behalf, and the power to overcome by his resurrection.

Is he going to stop it? One day, yes. In his good time, when he has accomplished all his purposes.

It's hard to trust this at times, isn't it? When you see the devastation in Boston today. When you go to places ridden with incredible poverty, despair, hunger, and disease. When you realize that around the world incidents like this happen almost every day in places like Iraq and Somalia, killing innocent bystanders every day. Where is the love?

We Americans tend to believe the the ultimate good is safety, comfort, and freedom from suffering. Jesus said something quite different. The ultimate good comes from how we react to suffering, and the good things God does in us when we experience it. So when awful, awful things happen, that is when the Lord of the universe does his best work.

Reports of Marathon Runners that crossed finish line and continued to run to Mass General Hospital to give blood to victims #PrayforBoston
— NBC Sports Network (@NBCSN) April 15, 2013

I see evidence of it already. The way people ran toward the explosions to help people rather than running away. The way some runners went directly to the hospital to give blood - even though they had to be almost dehydrated. People thinking of others rather than themselves - this is where we begin to see God working his will.

So I grieve. And pray. But I also wait anxiously to see what the Father is going to accomplish. Because it's going to be awesome.

Bottle caps? Seriously?

A few years ago, I was in Athens, GA with my friends Brian and Tommy for the Alabama-Georgia football game. It was halftime and the Tide was getting killed. I went to the concession stand for a Coke and when I got it, to my surprise, they took the bottle cap away from me.

I was like, what?? One of the worst things about Cokes at a ball game is when people spill them on your stuff. If we can screw the cap back on after every sip, that won't happen. But nooooooooooo! I couldn't keep the cap.

Why not? Well, apparently they were concerned about the possibility of fans hurling the caps toward the field if they got upset. Don't like the ref's call? Throw a bottle cap. That's right...your bottle cap. What a threat.

Apparently, this is the rule (or law) in Georgia and other places. At concerts, games, and other events in Atlanta, they have consistently refused to give me the cap. So, speaking of Georgia....
__________________

Friday night I got back to my hotel room and was watching Sportscenter. For those of you who don't know, there was a bad call in Atlanta (that's right!) where umpire Sam Holbrook incorrectly applied the infield fly rule. (Read the whole story here.) Well, the game was delayed for 19 minutes because the field was cleared for the safety of the players. Fans had begun to throw debris to express their displeasure.

So take a good look at the picture. See any bottle caps?? Oh yeah, those would be dangerous. Beer bottles, soft drink bottles, food packages. But as I study the picture I don't see any bottle caps.
______________________

The fans' behavior Friday night was inexcusable. But I've got to confess that wasn't my first thought. My first thought was how silly it is to think you can prevent this by taking caps off soft drink bottles.

So call me a rebel, but when I go over there I will continue to bring my own cap from a soft drink at home. When they give me a capless bottle, I will walk away and put it on the bottle. And I will never ever throw it at anyone!

My neighbors who don't get my drink spilled on their stuff thank me. Or they would if they knew.

16 years and 4200 miles

It was the summer of 1995, and the anticipation was building. The Olympics were coming to Atlanta and we could not wait. I was talking to my sister Kim and she was talking about how great it would be if we could see the most popular event in person - gymnastics.

Well, we didn't win the drawing for those tickets, but we did find a way to get some. I never will forget going to Atlanta with her family and watching volleyball, track & field, baseball, and yes...gymnastics. We saw the qualifying rounds and the women's all-around competition. I remember sitting at a table in the CNN Center and talking with my sisters about how it was so special - a once in a lifetime opportunity. We saw the USA team that won a rare gold medal...in person. They were called "The Magnificent Seven." What a memory!

A month later, Kim went to be with her Lord in an unexpected accident. As I continue to miss her and her daughter Holly, I think back on that Olympics, and I'm so glad we got to share that before she went ahead of the rest of us. I will never forget it.

So it probably not surprising how much I have enjoyed the last three nights of the London Olympics. A long 16 years and 4200 miles away from those Atlanta nights, a US gymnastics team has repeated the feat. No, they have gone farther - winning the team gold medal and then following it up with Gabby Douglas' all-around gold.

As I have watched, pride and patriotism has enveloped me. Watching the joy of those young ladies who worked so hard to get there is almost overwhelming. But I can't help but think back to Atlanta. and to my departed sister. How much we enjoyed those games, and how she would have enjoyed watching this team.

So forgive me if I get a little carried away with this once-in-four-years sporting event. It's personal. and I love it.

U. S. A.

2012 National Champs

Best. Softball. Game. Ever.

Drama, adversity, coming from behind, controversy....and another Alabama 2011-12 national championship. Their 4th!

Roll Tide!

Two more wins

Alabama softball lost Game 1 of the National Championship series tonight. They didn't look like their usually loose selves - that happens sometimes. Nobody plays their best game every time out. but twice this year, in critical series', they lost the first game and came back to take the next two. I believe this team will do the same, because they are resilient, and they know how to have fun. They will relax, and they will show that they're the better team - I believe in them.

So, in honor of the coming championship, here's one more viewing of their music video. This video shows the spirit of this team - the spirit that I believe will carry them on Tuesday and Wednesday.



Roll Tide! Beat OU!

Softball...yes, softball

My name is Donnie, and I am a college softball fan.

I never thought I'd say that. Softball is the "other" game being played across the street from baseball, right? And admitting I'm a fan - well, it feels sort of like coming out of some kind of sports closet.

But I am. It's amazing what winning will do. Alabama has had a championship level softball program for several years now, and it's contagious. I'm not the only one. Reserved season tickets sold out this year, and so the only tickets that can be bought at the gate are general admission - which buys you a seat in the Brickyard. That is, the grassy area beyond the outfield wall. Bama softball averages close to 3.000 fans per game in a stadium with less seats than that.

Packed house for 2012 NCAA Regional game

It's been called the most electric atmosphere in college softball.

And that's why I think I've become a fan. not just because they win. But because it's fun to be at a game. And that, after all, is why we go to sports events - to have fun.

This is no second class sport. The young ladies playing the game are fantastic athletes. And the Tide has some of the best in the country.

So this weekend, as they began their quest for a national championship, I didn't just follow from home. I am in Tuscaloosa as I write this, and I am here for the weekend. Bama won their first round game tonight 5-1. They play again tomorrow and the championship round is Sunday. I am rooting as hard as I do for any Crimson Tide sport.

My name is Donnie, and I am a college softball fan.

And it's fun!

Roll Tide.

What a game

My niece Haley said it best in her tweet a few minutes ago. She said, "This is why there's nothing better than college sports. Especially in the #SEC. #hurryupfootball".

Tonight's college baseball game between South Carolina and Florida had it all. Drama, great plays, unbelievable intensity...and we got two extra innings of it to boot. (For details, here's a link to the game story.)

I won't deny the outcome was part of why I enjoyed it. I never cared much for Florida and also the Gamecocks are wearing a sticker on their helmet in recognition of the tornado tragedy in Alabama. But really - no matter how that game turned out, it was awesome competition.

There is at least one more game in the series tomorrow night. If you're free, do yourself a favor and catch it. And anytime you have a chance to watch SEC teams square off, watch! Even if it's a game of marbles...watch.

'Cause there really is nothing like college sports.