Thankful For Our Village

They say it takes a village, and we are so lucky to have an incredible one. ❤️

Last year, Meghan was terrified of the wind. Even the slightest breeze could send her into a full panic attack. We couldn’t get her outside some days. She wanted so badly to play softball with her friends, but her fear was bigger than she was ready to handle. We only made it to two games all season, and even then, we couldn’t make it through them.

But her coaches, Pat and Marc, never stopped showing patience, kindness, and understanding. Her teammates comforted her, encouraged her, and celebrated every little victory. Other parents cheered her on from the sidelines and honestly, they cheered Dennis and me on too. On the days they could see our hearts breaking while watching her struggle, they would gently tell us, “Go take a minute. We’ve got her.”

And they did.

Tonight was Meghan’s first softball game of the new season, and this year felt different. She showed up excited. She got up to bat. She stayed out on the field. She even gave catcher a try.

The coaches are the same. Still leading with patience and empathy, but this season they’re coaching a different little girl. One who is slowly finding her confidence again. One who feels safe, supported, and brave enough to try.

We will never forget the people who helped carry us through the hardest season of our lives and helped Meghan find her way back to herself. This is what a village looks like

They say it takes a village,

And now I know it’s true.

Because when our world was falling apart,

That village carried us through.

Last spring the wind was terrifying,

A whisper could bring tears.

A gentle breeze became a storm

Built from heartbreak, loss, and fears.

She wanted so badly to play the game,

To stand out on that field,

But fear is heavy for little hands

Still learning how to heal.

Two games.

That’s all we made.

And even then, not all the way through.

But no one rolled their eyes or walked away.

Instead, they showed us what kindness can do.

Coaches with patience bigger than innings,

Teammates with cheers so loud,

Parents who saw our breaking hearts

And held us up in the crowd.

“Go take a minute.

We’ve got her.”

Words we’ll never forget.

Because sometimes love looks less like fixing things

And more like simply not giving up yet.

Tonight the season started again,

But something felt brand new.

She walked onto that softball field

With courage breaking through.

She smiled

.She batted.

She stayed out there with pride.

And for the very first time in a long time,

Confidence stood by her side.

The coaches are still the same,

Still leading with patience and grace,

But now they’re watching a stronger little girl

Slowly finding her place.

Healing doesn’t happen all at once.

It comes in moments small and bright.

A swing of a bat.

A catcher’s mask.

A child laughing under stadium lights.

And maybe that’s what a village really is

Not people who make the hurt disappear,

But people who stay long enough,

Loud enough,

Loving enough,

To help someone believe

They can be brave again.

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