Opinion : Understanding that far away look

I often used to find my mother sitting outside on her swing.

It was a sturdy white swing that hung from the tree just outside the back door of the house.

Whenever mom was missing in action, you could find her there, her black hair blowing in the wind and that distant look in her eyes.

As a youth,I wondered how a person could spend that much time just sitting. As a grown woman, I believe I understand.

Life throws us many curve balls. Sometimes it feels as if I am in a batting cage, just trying to hit the ball before it hits me! Once in a while I crack a good one, but the thrill seems short lived as the next ball comes at me, faster and harder than the one before.

Then there are those curve balls that hit me so hard it takes me to my knees and I wonder, "Now where did THAT come from!?"

As I have progressed through life, I have come to realize that all the practice in that sometimes terrifying batting cage, is exactly what I needed.

Practice to face my fears, to gain courage, at getting tougher. Practice in realizing that you cannot control the pitch, only the swing. Practice to take a hit now and then, but get back up and keep going. Practice to teach me those things which I couldn't learn any other way: patience, tenacity, faith in myself, but most of all the strength to realize that none of these curve balls could be bad enough to take me out of the game!

I am thankful for all the practice; it has helped me become the person I am today.

Now I have a white rocker on my deck.

Early in morning, when my world is quiet, you can find me there...with that same distant look in my eyes.