Home Run

After registering to take Physics this past January, an acquaintance challenged me by remarking:  “I’d be surprised if you got a “B” in a college level physics course.”  That comment has controlled me throughout the semester, driving me to study when I did not feel like it.  I know, silly and vain that I had the need to disprove this declaration questioning my ability… but competition reared within me.  I worked hard; I studied many hours.

Physic 051 is complete, final exam taken, and I have been anxiously waiting for the final grade posting.  The professor said that grades would take a couple of weeks to show up on Blackboard, the electronic communication system used by the college.  Needless to say, I have not demonstrated patience and have accessed my student number several times only to learn that he was right … grading still not announced.

On Saturday, I spent the afternoon watching a girl’s softball tournament that my granddaughter played in.  She is a good player and exuberant about her ability.  After slugging a line drive for a home run, I heard her voice congratulating herself in the dug-out, “Wasn’t that an awesome home run!”  And after checking the line-up for field positions,  I heard the familiar jovial voice proclaim, “Guess who gets to play first base?” 

This has been her first season as a ball player and I believe she is surprised that she can contribute.  Also, her coach thinks so too.   Her enthusiasm made me laugh … such innocence.   Of course, I am from the 50’s – I have never played a team sport, but thought a little lesson in humbleness was in order.

On the way home, I said, “I loved watching you play.  I can tell that you care about the game and truly put an effort into helping your team achieve the win.”

“I am good at it,” she smiled while her eyes twinkled.

We talked a bit about the game and then I commented, “Do you want to know a secret?”

“What?”

“A life secret … something that I have observed…”

“Sure,”   there was a hint of hesitancy in her voice.

I continued, “Let every compliment about your performance come out of someone else’s mouth.  It will mean more.” 

I didn’t drive the point home any further.  I was pleased that she did seem to get what I was trying to say.  At least, she was quiet for a moment considering the remark before chattering the rest of the way home. 

Later, she asked to spend the night, then her brother wanted to spend the night, and another grandson found out making it a sleepover of three.  (“Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go!”)  That evening,  my granddaughter was busy painting a picture while the boys were playing a game on their laptops.  Both little guys thrilled that I had entered the 21^st century and finally (their words) purchased the Verizon jet pack so they could use a wireless connection to play against each other.  I took the moment, everyone involved in their own stuff, to check if my Physics grade had been publicized.

Viola!  Posted: Susan McCoy Physics:   4.0.

Yes, I did a happy dance, actually squealing, “Hey guys look at this!”  The boys, always interested in anything on a computer, ran to look over my shoulder.

“Look, 4.0 in Physics … I’m brilliant!”

They laughed, me still dancing in glee when my granddaughter looked up from her painting project, a “gottcha” smile on her face.

“Grandma, can I share a secret? “