Though She Be But Little She Is Fierce

Though she be but little, she is fierce. ― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

. . .

“Mom, I’m going to pitch.”
I replied, “You need to practice your catching before the coach will let you pitch a game.”

I tell her this because she’s one of the youngest and girls on her softball team.
I know the coach will let her practice, but will never put her on the mound during a game.

though she be but little she is fierce

My daughter is not me. She is not the shy, self-conscious, scared little girl I was…
The first day of practice she saw the sixth graders fast pitching and her response was…

“I am going to do that.”

though she be but little she is fierce

During the games, I watch how stressful it is for the pitcher.
I watch their faces as they try and try again to keep control of their pitches.
I watch them grimace with every “ball” the ump calls.
I watch the shame when the other team scores a run off their pitch.

though she be but little she is fierce

I secretly think, “I’m glad they won’t put her in. She can’t handle that.”

My husband continues to practice pitching with both girls at home and on the field.

though she be but little she is fierce

I look at the time on the clock as I finally get in the car after a day of work meetings.

Text 1: When will you be home from work?
Text 2: The game is at 7 if you can make it on your way home.
Text 3: The game hasn’t started yet. (It’s running late)

I’m only 2-hours into my 3-hour commute home. There’s no way I can make it to the game in time. My phone continues to buzz on the passenger seat. I stop for gas.

I look down and only two words come into focus: She pitched.

I take a photo of my sadness to remind myself to be cautious of the repercussions of my work choices.

Action expresses priorities.
― Mahatma Gandhi

My heart is heavy the rest of the drive home.

I share my sadness with you and you respond with empathy and love. Thank you for the reminder…

“There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” ― Jill Churchill #quote #parenting *so true.

I put on a smile, pretend I don’t know she pitched for the first time, and go off the wall when she shares the big news.

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P.S. We’ve got a second fast-pitch softball champ on our hands for next year.

though she be but little she is fierce

One last thing, do you love the BE BRAVE sticker on the girl’s batting helmet as much as I do? Find the t-shirt online here. Pop over and check out ElSage Designs for a variety of awesome custom inked items. I just adore their line.