back in the saddle again

last thursday was my first day back to work after being off for almost 10 months. my knee still looks like a water balloon if i use it a lot but it still feels great to be back to work.
my first trip was to take a local college track and field team to gainesville, fl. it was a heck of a way to start back. 9 1/2 hours driving. i am really not complaining.
my second trip was to nashville to pick up the smokies, our "AA" affiliate of the chicago cubs. 2 days later, the 9th, we are in jacksonville, fl. it is so good to not only be back, but also that my boss has given me back my assignment to drive these guys for another season.
baseball is without a doubt, my favorite sport. sometimes, it creates conflict in my family. one daughter is aspiring to sing professionally and doing very well, my youngest daughter found her niche' in softball and her season is going well. her 2nd game, she hits her first homerun of the season. my son loves basketball and if it were a drink, he would drink it deep. my drink of choice is baseball.
the down side to this newly found euphoria, i miss my kids. i have 4 incredible children and i have been blessed greatly to have them.
recently, i decided to grow my hair long. in period of my past, i have had hair down my back and it seemed "cool". now, i have a different mission.
recently i was watching something from st. jude research hospital about kids and cancer and i was touched. my heart aches as i see these kids and hear their stories. i cry with the parents but i don't know (thankfully) their pain and i hope i never do. i can pray for these kids and trust God to heal them and i know in that i have some power. still, i am helpless. i found out that one of the most depressing things for girls is when they lose their hair. it is not the surgery or the chemo that hurts the most. it is losing all of their hair.
there is an organization called "locks of love" and they take hair, minimum 10" long, and make wigs for these kids. i know i can pray and it is effective for their healing, but what else can i do?
i decided that i can't give much money even though every little bit helps. but, i can grow my hair, have it cut off, and have a wig made for them and help them to feel better about themselves. it is a small thing, perhaps insignificant to most, but to them it is very significant.
this is not about me. this is not a "look at me" kinda thing. i think we have a responsibility as God's children to help others. "when you do it to the least of these..., you know the rest.
until next time...