The Doubleheader That Wasn't
If you turn on the TV to any weather or news channel in the nation, you'll see that the state Adam and I call home is about to get hit...by a hurricane named Isaac. Tomorrow, it's supposed to change from "tropical storm" to "hurricane," as it slams into Cuba and some other Caribbean countries. By Monday, it's rumored to put a halt on the Hammerhead season. And as I drove out to Port St. Lucie, Spring Training home to the NY Mets, the clouds seemed to be telling me a similar story. A storm was surely on the horizon.
The Hammerheads were rained out of yesterday's game. So today, they were re-scheduled for a doubleheader with Adam taking the mound in the second game. This is what the scene looked like immediately following the conclusion of the first game. Mostly clear skies (at least for Florida) and a little bit of the setting sun's colors. But wait, why the tarp then?! The announcer spoke over the stadium, "Game 2 is being delayed." Ok, delayed for what? There's no rain! Let's play, I want to see Adam play! I thought. Then Rosie, Adam's pitching coordinator came up to me and said, "Mrs. Conley, may I offer you some advice? Go sit in your truck. We're about to get dumped on." Then he showed me the weather radar on his iPhone...a huge blob of bad weather was rapidly approaching. Darnit. Darnit! I got up, grabbed my umbrella (that I took into the stadium just in case) and made my way to the upper deck, under the cover of the stadium roof. I didn't want to go to my truck yet...I just wanted to wait and watch the storm unfold.
So did Adam. He didn't leave the field until the rain came. I think he was hopeful, like me, that the storm would somehow magically pass us by. And so, he sat. (He's the guy sitting.)
Another reason I didn't go to the truck was because of R.A. Dickey. I've been reading his book and it just seemed fitting to open it and continue flipping pages in the same Spring Training facility that he calls home! It's quite the wonderful read...I'm mesmerized by his writing style and convictions. I finished Wherever I Wind Up sitting in the Nose Bleeds. And I'd recommend it to anyone. Absolutely outstanding.
But I certainly wouldn't recommend waiting for a Florida rain storm to come before you decide that sprinting to your truck is the only way to remain even close to semi-dry. Bad choice. My umbrella helped a little, but not much. Ugh. Wet and cold, I waited for Adam to finish his duties at the field before we drove back home together. He's scheduled to pitch the first game of another second doubleheader tomorrow at 4. I hope that we get at least one game in!
We needed gas. And many times in Florida, when you pull into a gas station, you see something ridiculous like this. Gimmine Christmas!
So, when Adam left the rain-dreched field of Port St. Lucie, he was ready for some dinner. Great! I hadn't eaten either. But not one minute from departing the field, Adam realized that he never played catch! He has to play catch every day. If he doesn't, it hurts his arm. "I'll play catch with you when we get home," I said. With maybe just a hint of reluctance, he agreed. I'm no professional ball player, this I know, and I can't catch the hard throws that he needs to make. But, I can play catch. And none of the other guys were available. So, we found a place behind Roger Dean Stadium's outfield wall, right under the scoreboard and Hitter's Eye, and tossed the ball around.
Since I can't, and won't, catch Adam's really hard throws, we had to get a little crafty before ending our night. We scoured the complex and found a fence outside of the Marlin's clubhouse, where Adam threw maybe 10 fastballs at. Once they hit the fence, I picked the ball up and threw it back to him. It was the best we could do. The best I could do. But we had fun. And Adam got his work in.
Daddy Update:
Johnie is feeling and speaking much better as each day passes. I got a chance to talk with him, and wow, the difference between two days ago and today has made a HUGE difference. I can already tell that he's well on his way to recovery. He is, however, continuing to have some problems with the right side movement of his body. And his balance still isn't the best. So, the doctors, Daddy, and Ellie all decided that a 5-day stay on the rehab floor of the hospital was the best thing he could do for himself...even though he really wants to go home. But he knows better. He knows how much benefit it will be to him to have all of his doctors, nurses, and therapists there as his needs arise...ultimately speeding up his complete recovery. He's going to stick it out. Just like I'd expect him to. My dad's a fighter. A strong man with a strong will. And I know that when the 5 days are up, he'll have put in every ounce of work that he possibly could have mustered. Because that's the type of man he is. Pray for his strength, perseverance, and courage as he battles back.
I think the decision to move to Spokane is close to being made. Continued prayers for guidance and clear direction are needed right now. Ellie is staying in Seattle until Sunday. She's taking care of all the details of the move, acting as caregiver when my brother is at work, and hammering out the financial situation that comes with hospital stays. Pray for patience, humility, and discernment as she makes important calls and decisions. Finally, my grandma. Her and my dad are best friends. They're an inseparable duo and currently, both in need of some extra care. One of my dad's main concerns with the move to Spokane is whether or not Grandma would want to come. Well, guess what?! She wants to come!!! And that is such good news! She seems to be excited, and a bit apprehensive, about the move (I mean c'mon, who wouldn't be!)...but she's welcoming the challenge and ready for a new start. THIS IS AWESOME! I'm so in awe of the Lord right now. He's making His presence so undeniably obvious to all of us. And I can't get over His faithfulness! Wow! Go Dad! Go Grandma! Go Ellie! Go Jake! Go Mom too! And Morgan, Shelby, and Dan! It's going to take a team effort, but that's what we're all here for. I love you all. I'm so incredibly blessed and thankful for each one of you.
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