For My Grandpa

For my Grandpa.

My grandpa has lived a full life.  He has been a husband to Patricia Dressback for 65 years.  A father of 4…7 including spouses.  Grandfather to 9…15 including spouses.  And a great grandpa to 8…no spouses for those youngins yet! 

I have been incredibly blessed to call Jack Dressback my grandpa for the past 28 years (and will continue).  He has been very present in all of our lives.  

He was in the audience when I was a bee in my very first school play.  I may have even played a rock at one point and even for that I’m sure he was there, if I’m not making this up.  He spent countless hours on the bleachers watching softball, soccer, and yes even middle school girls basketball.  He picked me up from school, was at every grandparent’s day school event, fundraisers, banquets, car washes, recitals, you name it; Jack Dressback was always there, early!  He was there for my high school graduation and drove countless hours to give me a hug and congratulate me on my graduation from college.  He again drove numerous hours, with my grandmother, to sit in the congregation to hear me deliver a sermon. 

My grandpa loved cars, racing, eagles, and sports.  I am a colts’ fan because of him.  And lets not forget his obsession with John Deere.  I was young but I remember the days in Indiana when my grandparents would keep me while my parents were at work.  My grandpa would sit me on his lap and let me think I was driving the John Deere to mow the yard.   After raking the leaves and re raking after I jumped in them he would put the leaves first in the trashcan and then lift me in next, letting me stomp them down.  This is one of my favorite memories in life.  When the family moved to Florida I remember visiting my grandparents for trips to the park, K-mart, and McDonalds.

He always suited up for church and has been an usher since Noah built the ark.   

I think the whole family was shocked to learn of the news.  Jack Dressback was one of the most active and healthy 87 year olds around.  Jack Dressback was super human in my mind.  I honestly thought he would out live Methuselah. 

He lived an incredible life.  He served his country.  He was a dedicated family man.  He will remain as one of the strongest and gentle, most kind of persons I have ever met.  He will remain a hero to me. 

It didn’t matter what it was, my grandpa has been watching me, do whatever it is I do, from the day I was born.  He has shown up for every event in my life.  And as he is taking his last breaths right now, I’m heartbroken that I will not be able to show up for him, but I know he will continue to watch me.  And I’m sure there is a recliner with his name on it.  

I need to add that my grandmother was also present for all of these events as well.  I’m a pretty lucky girl. 

Jack Dressback lived…

Game Time

So after 3 meetings over a course of 3 school weeks, I just got home a few hours ago from Namboboto Secondary School Girls very FIRST softball practice!  I have to tell you after last week I didn’t think I would ever even throw a ball.  I mean it's game time but lets have a meeting...or 3. 

For the past 6 weeks, I have been going to meeting after meeting, all over Funyula, introducing myself and basically saying hey, I’ll be in the area for the next 2 years lets work together on projects, etc.  At this particular school meeting there was a box of helmets, gloves, balls, and bats in the corner and I was asked if I knew how to play baseball because they have no idea were their exact words.  Jumping ahead in my mind to their next question, which was what followed…Could I teach the girls how to play?  I must’ve lit up like the Krispy Kreme sign when the donuts are hot.  (Dunkin Donuts are still better)  

Well, since you know how to play baseball do you also know how to play basketball?  I laughed a little to myself.  Uh Michael Jordan owned my bedroom walls during the 90’s.  They inform me the boys have a coach and therefore a team, but no one will coach the girls, (say no more) which means no team.  I'll do it!  I’ll be back on Monday for the first practice.   Unsure of which one they want me to teach, but that doesn’t really matter.

3 weeks later of similar meetings on a Monday a Tuesday, a Friday we finally get the girls and the equipment to unite.  One would think it’s a simple task …give me the girls and a basketball and we’ll do this thing.  Welcome to life in Kenya!  Seriously, this was a huge triumph and I am celebrating! 

I have 50 minutes with 51 (high school) girls and 25 gloves, 3 days a week as long as it doesn’t interfere with my primary activities.   Only 1 girl had ever played prior to this day.  The rest hadn’t even seen or heard of softball.  Challenge accepted!  One of the things I love about working with children and youth is teaching them new things.  Ok, so we will start with throwing and catching.  I instruct on a few things, one being how to hold the glove, wait for the person to look before you throw so you don’t knock someone out, let’s stand in a line so escape balls (again) don’t knock someone out and then I tell the girls to get a partner, a glove, and softball for the 2 of them.  Lets start at the basics…

Before I knew it I had a line of girls I was assisting with putting on their gloves.  I assumed far too much and my prior comment on how to hold the glove was skipping ahead.  Oh, well if you are right handed you need to wear a glove on your left.  Here lets put this on your other hand. Um that’s on backwards.  You actually have to put the glove on your hand.  Not all of your fingers go in the index finger’s slot.  You only need 1 glove, not 1 for each hand.   The glove goes on your entire hand not just your fingers.  No kidding, we spent half of our time learning not the basics of softball but the basics of a glove.  Then because there are so many girls interested in playing we switched it up and I taught round 2 of glove 101.   We made it through the different ways to hold your glove to catch a throw, pop fly, and grounder.   It seems small but today was a major success! 

No right or wrong about it but feeling accomplished has a new meaning in Kenya than it did in America. 

And tonight I am feeling very accomplished!

At the end of my 2 years, softball should be feeling very used and abused by me because that’s just what I’m doing using it as my in to get to know the girls and then address the issues confronting their lives.   That’s the Game Plan, at least. 

Jersey is on.  (Or in my case, skirt)  Shoes are laced. (flip fliops)  It’s Game Time, Namboboto!