Two Sides of the Road

Two Sides of the Road--

On one side of the narrow road is a field where dreams come to live.  One side of the road is alive with activity.  Baseballs fly from one hand to another's glove preparing for the battle that is only minutes away.  Adults gather together to cheer for their team.  Chairs are unpacked and set up so that watching is comfortable.  Coaches encourage team members.  They remind the players to be mindful of the wind.  Balls change direction when a gust of wind races across the field. They spend time reviewing the game plan.  Umpires sweep home plate and visit with one another.  The snack bar and bathrooms are located.  Once the umpires signal game time, all eyes and attention are on the field and the boys in uniforms.  Everything becomes serious. Everyone knows that only one team will walk away with the victory.

On the other side of the narrow road is the place where dreams live no more.  It is quiet on this side of the road.  The only activity is the movement of birds from tree to tree.  Stones and cement markers stand as a remembrance of those who once walked this earth.  The contrast between the two sides of the road made me pause and think.

Dreams are in their beginning stages for those on the ball field.  The future is out there somewhere.  It can wait.  Right now the important things are the game, their friends and family, and food.  Everything else will appear later.  Some of the players may have chosen their field of study.  But for most, that decision is a few years away.  These are the golden years of youth ruled by the moment.

Those who reside on the other side of the road once had dreams, too.  Since this is a rural community, my guess is many lived their lives on farms growing soy beans and corn.  In my mind's eye I see large white two-story homes with barns and silos in the back.  I see the people who lived in these homes sitting around a large kitchen table discussing the need for rain so the crops can grow.  I see ledgers with numbers that tell the story of success or near failure.  And now they are resting from a life of hard work.  Side-by-side with the people who shared their hopes and dreams.

Life will end.  All life will end.  People, animals, plants-everything that lives on this earth.  Knowing this gives us the opportunity to make the absolute most of the moments we have.  That is pretty darn exciting.  It is exciting to know that each moment is precious.  Each person is deserving of our respect.  Each opportunity that knocks on our door is an opportunity to grow.  That middle part of our lives is the gift we receive.  How will we celebrate that gift?

What do we do when we receive a gift?  We look closely at it.  We shake it to see if anything makes a noise  We notice the wrapping paper and the ribbon.  We feel its weight.  A smile forms on our face as we anticipate what might be inside.  Until it is opened, its contents are unknown.  While we want to know what is inside, part of us wants to hang on to this moment just before knowing.  Wanting to know wins, and soon we rip the ribbon and paper off.  There it is.  The gift just for us.  Only us.  It belongs to no one else.  We can use whatever was in that box, or we can put it away.  We can use it or save it.

Tomorrow is a gift.  In the morning we will all open that gift a little at a time.  And then it will be over.  The next day we will do it all over again.  Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year.  We will move from the ball field of life to the final resting place.

Know what I think we should do right now?  Smile more.  Laugh out loud.  Sing joyfully. Love completely. Forgive others because it's the right and necessary thing to do.  Make cookies.  Walk in the rain. Plant flowers.  Encourage others.  Think positive thoughts.  Right wrongs.  Make new friends.  Stand in the sunshine and be thankful.  Visit with someone who has been on our mind and heart.  Listen well.  Love ourselves.

And maybe grab a ball, a bat and a glove and play ball!