Eamon can really hit a baseball. He swings with all his might and then with a glorious “tink” of the metal bat meeting the ball, he drives it into the outfield. Parents cheer from the sidelines. His teammates leap from the bench, wave their hats in the air, and whoop as he makes his way around the bases. But that’s not why I am proud of him.
Eamon can really catch a baseball. He dives for line drives and stops them mid-flight. He cuts off grounders and makes catching fly balls look easy. With skillful confidence, he throws his catches across the field to make an out. But that’s not why I am proud of him.
Eamon is kind. He doesn’t consider himself “too cool” to talk to any of the boys on his team. He applauds his teammates, even when they are losing. He seeks out a boy who has struck out or missed a catch and offers a joke or words of encouragement. That’s why I am proud of him.