CRUNCH!!

"Sacrifice Your Body For the Ball!"

I remember that phrase being yelled at me during Softball practices and drills and I remember hearing my sister's coach yell it to her during Volleyball practice.  

And we did it.  

I may not be known for my athletic prowess; or even for an ability to walk in a straight line without falling, but I knew how to sacrifice my body for the ball.  Huge scrapes up the legs from sliding into home plate were commonplace for me in childhood.  (Hey, in Texas, it's too hot to wear pants and play softball.  I'd rather bleed.)  And my sister came home with many a hematoma on her hips from diving to "pancake" the volleyball and save their team from destruction.  

Well, apparently, my son needed no such direction.  He was born with the instinct to save the ball at all costs.

Isaac and Matt were throwing the football around in our backyard and having quite the time. ( I was inside doing... something.  Who knows, really?  We all know I'm an inside kinda girl, right?)  So, when I heard the door open, I turned to look.  I heard no sound but one look at Matt's face told me something had gone terribly wrong.  

"Did you break him!?!"  

I yelled at Matt.  (don't worry.  It was a jokingly lovey kinda yell... Mostly.)  

Matt just nodded.  

Uh. Oh.

Isaac walked in, holding his head and wincing, but not a tear fell down his face.  No cries of pain.  Can you believe that?!  Look at his head!  I'd be crying.  

 Apparently, Matt threw the ball to Isaac,who dove to catch it.  Unfortunately, he dove right smack into the L-shaped metal post that is securing one of our fruit trees.  Ouch.  

I cannot believe how tough he was.  He was even a tad bit proud of his injuries.  I said, "Good thing you're a boy.  Scars are cool if you're a boy." Hopefully it won't leave  terrible scar, but there will definitely be a line right there.  

As he was sitting in our Kitchen holding ice to his head, Matt explained to me how the fateful injury occurred.  Isaac looked up at me from beneath the ice pack and said, 

"At least I caught the ball."

Indeed.