I'm so thankful to have our family together right now when usually he'd already be many, many miles away. I'm thankful he's getting to experience these precious moments with Owen that otherwise he would have missed out on.
.... I'm thankful that if last year was his final year of playing, he ended on such a high! His team was unstoppable. He got to play with some of his best friends from the previous seven years of playing professional baseball. He's an Atlantic League Champion - what a great way to go out!
.... I'm thankful, too, that he has a very strong passion for something else besides just playing baseball. He LOVES coaching the sport. And boy, does he have a gift for that! He's got some very strong supporters all pulling for him when he does make that final decision to enter the world of college coaching. It speaks volumes to me to see men like Andy Etchebarren (a big-time ex major league player and then a successful coach), as well as many other high-profile college coaches, be so confident in his ability to not only play, but also coach in the sport. I am just so proud of my husband.
.... And I'm thankful for how hard he's worked to earn his degree. (I did tell him he was in BIG trouble if my little sister got her degree before him!! Lucky for him, he beat her!) If you aren't aware, Chuck got drafted by the Red Sox after his junior year at Auburn. Therefore, he left school without ever earning his degree. So, the last two years he's worked extremely hard to finally graduate. He needs his degree in order to coach in college and he's only one test away, which he'll be taking later this week... so pray for him!! :)
.... And lastly, I'm truly thankful for the time we've had in the baseball world. Baseball has been a huge part of our life together for so long. I started dating Chuck right before his sophomore season at Auburn. We've been through practically every up and down together. In fact this might be our first full year together since starting our relationship eight years ago. Our marriage consisted of five months together, seven months a part. But looking back, I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Watching Chuck play was, and will always be, one of my greatest joys in life. That's why this is so bittersweet. To think I may never see Chuck play another game brings tears to my eyes. However, I, too, have a great support system. My baseball girlfriends from all phases of the game are the best! And many of them are or have already gone through the same thing. Again, these life-long friendships thanks to baseball are just another thing I'm thankful for!
We'll keep you updated on our journey... :)
The Jerolomans
