In an instant, there’s such a feeling of pride.
In an instant, you’re going over the statistics in your head — 3 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI. A complete game two-hitter from the hill.
In an instant, it’s a great game.
In an instant, it’s only a game.
In an instant, he makes the decision to steal home to end the game.
In an instant, I look down. An instant later a limp child lies on the field.
In an instant, it all changes. Pride turns to panic. Joy turns to terror.
In an instant, it all changes.
In an instant, the 9-1-1 call goes out. There’s an ambulance ride. There’s an IV and a call to “stay with me, don’t fall asleep.”
In an instant, he comes to with bright lights in his eyes unable to move his mouth.
In an instant, family arrives in the waiting room and doctors talk about next steps.
In an instant, there is both relief and sadness. It certainly could have been worse. It certainly could have been catastrophic. But the solace is fleeting when you think of how many instants it will take to fully heal.
In an instant, there are Facebook posts and text messages and daily updates that were never to be an instant ago.
In an instant, there’s anger, and outrage, and sadness, and sorrow, and all of the stages along the way hitting you like waves at a beach.
In an instant, there’s all the feelings.
From the perspective of a teenager – in the prime time of his life – to lose a summer to eating through a straw and a new, sudden set of braces and surgery.
All told, a broken jaw is certainly not the worst thing to happen. True tragedies happen every day. But it’s hard to account for in that instant.
An instant turns to hours, then days, then weeks. And in an instant, this summer will soon be behind us, his jaw will be healed, and he’ll be back on the baseball diamond. It is these moments that make us stronger, that make us enjoy the good, and respect the bad.
In an instant, we will look back on this and laugh and remember the tears along the way..
(Do you follow Chris Kamler on Twitter? If not, do so now. He’s the notorious @TheFakeNed. Also find him on Facebook)