The Catch To Completion: It’s Just About… Life

It was a big week for my little girl.

It all began with the game… and a sinking line drive.

Monday night: Two on, two outs, extra-innings and a trip to The Championship game for the LTRC Girls Softball League (14+) on the line. Our team, the Pumas, clinging to a one-run lead. The Longhorns, (the home team), up in their final-at-bat, down to their final out, bottom of the 8th inning, darkness falling.

A base hit here and we go home because there is no doubt with two outs and the runners in motion a base hit scores both of them and the Longhorns win.

Emily’s been playing Rec Ball for 8 years in the LTRC League and never been to the Championship. This night, in the final inning Emily is at second base for the Pumas.

Just one more out.

Suddenly the Longhorns batter hits a hard line drive to second base… but it’s sinking, sinking. Emily takes one step forward puts her glove down and backhands the big yellow softball, just before it hits the ground. Just for a moment, there’s the tension of whether she will hang on. She pulls up her arm, ball safely in the mitt. Game over. The Pumas rush in to surround Emily and celebrate. (and NO I don’t have video of that moment 🙁 )

Championship here we come.

Just one thing… that game is scheduled for Wednesday night – the same evening as Emily’s graduation from Franklin Middle School.

So a big catch to get us there, but our family, (and her teammate Lindsey Friedmann and their family), will have to participate in the game in spirit only, since it’s also been a bunch of years getting to the moment that was to come – the Completion Ceremony for Franklin Middle.

That moment has been building for eight years as well. Nearly a decade of academic excellence. Proud of my little girl, her hard work, her great grades, her perfect attendance this year and her dedication. Night after night I see her at her desk in her room, getting her school work done, wanting to be the best she can be. Just like we all do.

Wednesday night: The Completion Ceremony out in Owings Mills. As Emily was being awarded her certificate – it was happening again out in Lutherville. Almost the same scenario. Another tie-game, extra-innings, The Pumas vs The Wolfpack. Except this time we are the home team so we get the final at-bat.

I’m getting the texts from the coach’s wife, Kelly Kallaur. With darkness falling, the Pumas have a runner at second in our half of the final inning. Gretchen, one of our All-Star players, at the plate.

The next thing I know I’m being told to look at the video Kelly text to my phone. Emily has since received her Completion Certificate so I can take a peek – Gretchen swings and hits one between second and third… the runner from second scores.

The Pumas win it all.

The Champs (minus Emily & Lindsey) — **The Champs**
**(minus Emily & Lindsey)**

From The Catch, to Completion, to Champions. It was definitely 48 hours to remember and a time we won’t forget. We will now be moving on from it all and all at the same time. High School beckons for academics and for sports. But we’ve got some amazing memories. Emily wrapped it all up this week with recognition for her outstanding performance in middle school, some certificates to prove it… AND the catch that led us to a Championship.

Congrats Emily! We love you.

Until next time thanks for taking the time,

Mark