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Don't Aim, Just Throw
All of my accumulated life has brought me to this moment suspended in time.
The bases are loaded, two outs, bottom of the ninth, winning by a run;
The count is full as I stare in from atop the mound with ARod at the plate.
It's the seventh game of the World Series, just one pitch from being the champs.
I step off and go to the rosin bag, as the deafening cheers blur into a dull hum.
I hear my Little League coach say “ Don't aim, just throw”.
My mind swirls as I ask for a new ball, rubbing it up from beside the hill.
All my dreams are riding on this one pitch; all of the Cub fans dreams are too;
Years of goats, of black cats, of foul balls, of the curse of the city by the lake.
There is ARod standing in, seeking to win another title for the mighty Yankees;
My stomach is turned inside out, as I know that my name will ever be tied to this pitch.
I hear my high school coach say “Don't aim, boy, just throw”.
Millions of kids fantasize about in this very situation in their sandlot games every day.
I lived this same fantasy myself a hundreds of times before; I never failed the task at hand.
My name will forever be synonymous with this instant, frozen like Mazeroski's blast.
My forehead pours sweat on this 40 degree night, as October fades into winter.
I cannot disconnect from the thought patterns, as I must trust the power within.
I hear my Dad say “ Son, don't aim, just throw”.
Each of us have these moments when we must trust the skills we have.
All of our hard work and training bring us to this very second of release.
The moment that we must choose to trust or refuse to give up control,
As we come to terms with this true empowerment that comes from that place within.
I toe the rubber, look in, and get the sign; I rock back and decide to trust.
I hear my soul say “Don't aim, just throw”.
Do the champagne corks pop after this pitch, or does my head drop in agony?
I know that I did my best, but will I parallel Billy Buckner's eternal fate?
I choose to allow you to finish this story, select if I will be hero or goat; for it's not important.
For the moral of this scenario is; if you ever come to a moment in your life
Where you must decide between trusting in something deeper or being in control.
I ask that you always remember these words, “ Don't aim, just throw”.
7Jan08
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