Aunt Marion Tribute

I remember visiting my two great aunts; Marion and Martha, respectively back when I was five years of age. It was the summer of 1966 in July. My parents and my three older brothers were at the house on 303 Cherry Road on a humid mid -summer afternoon. I was playing with my brothers (George, Mark, and Phil) in the backyard while my parents and great aunts were preparing a picnic. My brothers and I were playing a game of "whiffleball" which is like baseball. The most significant difference is that the ball and bat are made of plastic. I recall the specific game that we were playing was "home run derby". My brothers were hitting the ball extremely well to the far reaches of the backyard. We rotated our turn at bat every ten pitches with the goal of hitting the whiffleball as far as possible. All three of my brothers were hitting the ball with consistent success during their batting turn as evidenced by the ball traveling over the heads of my brothers and I that were playing outfield. However, I could not hit the ball beyond the pitcher no matter how hard I tried at every swing of the bat. I succumbed to crying like a baby seeking its milk bottle after several rounds of inability to hit the ball like my brothers.
Aunt Marion apparently heard my cries of frustration as she approached the backyard with a confident gait. She directed me to join her on the porch located on the south end of the house. My great aunt held my hand as we walked over and sat in the chair on the porch without any interruption from other family members. Her voice was strong yet supportively firm as she addressed my despair over the lack of hitting the whiffleball. She emphasized that it was only a game and not to be too critical and expect to be like "Babe Ruth" hitting the ball. Aunt Marion stated that "someday, sooner than later, you'll be hitting that ball as well as your older brothers and quite possibly, even farther. You've to be patient with yourself for the time being and realize that in time with hard work and natural physical growth, your day as a ball player or anything that you do will be rewarding and looked upon as a success if you show passion and love for what you do."
The message that I received from my aunt some 43 years ago still resonates to this day. We, as people, can lead a better life for ourselves, family, and friends if we slow down and be patient with the process of anything involving personal growth opportunities within the journey of life. I believe that a passion for something is developed if you genuinely enjoy what you do for a living. I try to incorporate this message of wisdom to the people that I serve whom are recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.
My great aunt Marion certainly laid some bricks in my foundation as a young boy with respect to approaching life in a positive outlook. It is with great honor for my great aunt Marion to be able to share this short but everlasting story. May your journey in this life be filled with happiness. Respectfully, Jay Cole, a proud great nephew of Marion Parsons.