I smiled at the post I just saw by Carrie Spackman regarding Jim and Lesa Way and their family. Its always fun to see folks willing to see the good in another. Seems like people like to point out the bad they see, or sometimes they think they see......in this wonderful world of ours. Having enjoyed seeing Ms. Spackman open this door of goodness.....Id like to toss a few additional thoughts about this young couple. As we all like, want, and hopefully are, we like to be engaged in creating a good atmosphere in the home, the place that a successful foundation can, in part, be built for and with our kids. The safe haven for a little one. I have enjoyed seeing what Jim and Lesa have done over the long haul of their life together. What the sporting public sees are two parents, actively involved, in helping kids learn a sport by being committed to learning good coaching methods and applying them as coaches over many many years, either as assistant VOLUNTEER coaches, or in their roles as assistant or head coaches in high school baseball and softball. What many dont see is the countless hours of practice times they put into teaching all kids that wanted to learn, beyond their own. The early morning practices, the week nights, weekends, and countless hours of traveling with groups of our Sitka kids, to help them learn, play, and enjoy the sports they were involved in. And I suspect, in several instances over the season, taking money out of pocket to help make something happen for the team or for an individual. Something they wouldnt say out loud, but thats a committed coach, wanting to help provide opportunity......good for them. Yet, my sense is that it goes beyond even all those hours of team or individual coaching that you or I never saw/see. It goes well beyond that. What I do know is that, with my sons growing up in little league, by one major sense - is that Jim, along with several other dads put countless hours into whatever was needed to help make the little league experience for all boys and girls (JO Softball) a good experience. It was all the little things that needed to get done or the big things that reeeeally needed to get done, and Jim was in the thick of helping make it happen. Whether it was grooming a field that needed it, chalking it up and making it game ready, staying and throwing batting practice for any and all kids on any team that wanted it, he did it and he didnt need to be asked - he usually was the first one to go make something happen. He also was a key workhorse in helping build the batting cage that is now located at Mollar, built with donated money and built by volunteers, by those dads in the moment. He never expected, nor asks for, any credit for any thing he does. He just does it, and sooooo many kids benefitted from him giving of his time. Hes a good man. Yet, as much as I know my kids were benefactors over the years of his working all the time behind the scenes, and his tireless coaching help with little league, JO softball, Sitka high baseball and softball, that doesnt come without a dedicate soul in Lesa. Always there nearby in all those activities mentioned, and beyond her wonderful job with JO and SHS Softball coaching, what I always enjoyed was, and is, the home environment she made for the family and all of the kids friends. There was Lesa, volunteering her time this weekend, scorekeeping at the SHS softball games, yet again, but I really enjoy the value of the home environment she and Jim create for the kids, and extended family kids. How she was, and is, able to not only help where she can in the sports community, but she give and gives and gives, yet she also is able to ensure the home is a safe haven for her kids and other kids.........I truly appreciate that aspect of the home. I cannot remember a quiet time at their home over the years. There are always other kids coming and going. Fun to watch them all grow up, too...... Carrie - thank you for opening this door of thought tonight when you recognized Jim and Lesa and the family. Sometime, we take things for granted, not knowing why we have this or that, or when things get done. Sometimes, it is fun to reflect on the good, and in this moment - I smile at sitting here thinking of all that Jim and Lesa Way have done for so many kids beyond their own family, and their own team they coached......for the benefit of all. The batting cage is one small, but prominent contribution, that so many others have been able to enjoy because of the willpower of a Jim and Lesa, among others, to do something like that. Good for them......and thank you, Jim. Thank you Lesa, for all that you have done and continue to do........ :-)
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 05:39:14 +0000