By Cassidy Dover: "Mother's Day"

In baseball you often must celebrate your holidays whenever your family is together.  You can’t count on being together on a specific day.  Sometimes I am sad about this.  I try to make sure that Sheridan and I are with Ray on his birthday, Father’s Day, and the like.  My birthday, Mother’s Day, our anniversary, our daughter Sheridan’s big days, they must pass without Ray on most occasions. 

I have a friend whose husband is in the Military. She told me that the best thing to do is to pick days when we are together and make those the days of celebration.  This year Sheridan is old enough to sort of understand the holidays.  She is making crafts at school, talking about them, etc.   It's hard for her to wait for her daddy to come home.

As we all know, Mother’s Day just passed.  Ray was on the road.  At 6:15 am on Sunday, I hear, “Mommy, wake up”.  I rolled over and there stood my daughter.  She had a book in hand and a smile on her face.  I moved over and had her climb up into bed with me.  I was tired and wished I could just sleep in this one day.  I was wanting a few hours just for myself.

“Daddy and I bought you this book.  I want to read it to you” she said.  I sat up and pulled her close.  “Mommy, I Love You” she read in her adorable just learning to read voice.  She waivered on some words, but tried her best.  I’d jump in to help when I could see she was frustrated, but she kept reading and looking at me.

As tears filled my eyes, I told her, “Thank you sweetheart.  This is the best Mother’s Day gift ever!”.  Then she jumped out of bed.   “Where are you going?” I asked her.

“I’ll be right back.  Don’t move!” she instructed me.

I heard Sheridan in the kitchen.  I became very concerned, but didn’t want to take away her new found independence or her excitement.  Next I saw Sheridan walking towards me with her favorite poodle chair pulled close to her body.  She placed the chair down and handed me a bag of her favorite cereal.  Then she handed me a bottle of water.  “Breakfast in Bed Mommy!” she exclaimed.

Tears filled my eyes.  It is so hard to believe she’s growing up so fast! 

I began to think how sad it must be for Ray to only hear these stories over the phone after she has done something.  He’s missing so much of her growing. 

“Thank you!  I think you should get in bed, too!” I told her. 

So up she came.  We turned on her favorite TV shows and cuddled for a while.  Then Sheridan said, “It’s your day Mommy.  We can do whatever you want to do!  How about we play Barbies, Mommy?” she said.

I had to laugh.  “I’d love to!” I told her.

After Barbies we made brownies.  Then we went to the park.  All of this on my special day!  I love how she imagines that what she wants is exactly what I want, too.  Let’s be honest, it usually is!

With such a perfect day I am reminded of the days we’ve missed as a family.  Baseball doesn’t schedule itself around the player and his family’s schedule.   Ray misses so much.  But at the same time, he makes sure that I don’t miss out on feeing honored and loved.  He had taken the time to plan a day that money can’t buy; memories that can’t be taken away. 

Ray will bus home later this week.  I’m sure we’ll go out as a family and have dinner.  I may even get a pedicure or massage or something for “me."  But my breakfast in bed, my game of Barbies, my brownies and my play time at the park are the most special gifts I could have received.

Why would this interest you? It may not.  See in our lives most of the attention is on Ray and how well he’s playing baseball.  The family time away from the field isn’t really considered by the fans.  We aren’t a family that does the extravagant.  We are a family who, just like yours, finds ways to celebrate our own uniqueness.  We’re not so different.  That’s what I wanted you to know.

And a mom always wants to brag on her baby, doesn’t she?

Thanks for reading!
Cassidy

Cassidy Dover has been a baseball wife for more than 10 years.  Her husband Ray, currently in the minor leagues, has spent part of 7 seaons in The Show.  Cassidy lives somewhere in America with her daughter Sheridan.  Right now, they're probably waiting for Ray to come home.