I'll never forget the first time I heard Chaplain Bob Fox's poem "He's Just a Little Boy." My son was 5 years old on Opening Day of his first season of T-ball. I was the team manager for his team and was standing on the sidelines with the team and the other coaches as the league president read the poem. I'm an emotional mom and tears rolled down my face as I listened -- I mean really listened -- to the words. I vowed not to be THAT parent, the one yelling when my child made a mistake. My son's grown now and out on his own. I don't know if I always managed to keep that vow, but when he finished his senior year of soccer, the two team managers presented me with a bag inscribed with the words, "That's My Boy!" because that's what I always yelled out with pride at least once during every game. A few times I wasn't fast enough yelling these words, another parent would yell, "That's Sandy's Boy!" for me. This poem went viral a couple of years ago and Farmers Insurance agent Joel McKinnon started the #everyfield movement, a nationwide effort to encourage young baseball players instead of tearing them down. As we gear up for the spring sports season, this poem still speaks to me. So mamas and daddies, remember that your number one job is being your child's parent, mentor and biggest fan. Encourage him and cheer him on. Let her know that you love her unconditionally. Whether your child is 5, 10, 15 or 25, be THAT OTHER parent, the one whose voice is always positive and encouraging.
He's Just a Little Boy
He stands at the plate with his heart pounding fast.
The bases are loaded, the die has been cast.
Mom and Dad cannot help him, he stands all alone.
A hit at this moment would send his team home.
The ball meets the plate, he swings and he misses.
There’s a groan from the crowd, with some boos and some hisses.
A thoughtless voice cries, “Strike out the bum!”
Tears fill his eyes, the game’s no longer fun.
So open your heart and give him a break,
for it’s moments like this, a man you can make.
Keep this in mind when you hear someone forget,
He is just a little boy, and not a man yet.
-Chaplain Bob Fox
