I'm doing my best dad!

Dear Foundation for A Better Life: (A story called “I’m doing my best dad”) Several years ago on a warm summer day, my nine year old son (Gage) was pitching in a very close all-star game. I was one of his coaches. As a father and coach I wanted to win this game bad! My son was struggling on the mound and walked a few batters. I started to yell at him and push him hard to do better and throw nothing but strikes or else I would pull him from the game! Remember this was only a nine year boy. The other coach told me to ease up a little on him, but I did not. I continued to get on him. Finally my 9 nine year son dropped his glove on the mound and turned and looked me square in the eyes and then covered both his ears with his hands to let me know that he had heard enough from his dad and coach! The crowd in the bleachers roared with approval. I was very angry at first with him then my wife came off the bleachers and said to me “Coach I think he has heard enough” So I called time out and went to the mound to talk to him. As soon as I got there he said “dad I’m doing my best” I felt so bad and ashamed for being so hard on him and expecting so much from my young son. I hugged him and told him how sorry I was and that he was doing a great job and also I needed to learn to be a better father and coach! I will never forget this valuable lesson that my nine year old son taught me and everyone else at the ball park that day. He, my son Gage is still pitching in his sophomore year at SVU (Southern Virginia University) I thought this would be a great story to share and possibility a great family TV ad. Thanks so much Kent Bigelow (Price Utah)

Submitted by Anonymous

Teaching By Example