corner view~seven

Welcome to corner view everyone.  I am happy to be hosting for the next couple of week's in Jane's absence.  Please check out my girls CV's, Sky's and Annabel's.  They would be so happy.

The first thing that comes to mind when I think of seven, in fact the only thing, is my sweet husband, because seven is his favorite number.   I heard about this very early in our relationship, and for good reason.  You can tell a lot about a person by their heroes, and why they are their heroes.

My husband's childhood hero was Micky Mantle, number 7 for the New York Yankees.  And this is why, my husband explained to me over lunch today...

"His father taught him to switch hit.  He was a star baseball and football player in high school, when he was suddenly diagnosed with a form of polio.  The doctors were not sure he would ever walk again. Nonetheless, he tried out for the majors and would end up being the fastest runner from home plate to first base in the history of baseball at that time.  He played with a tremendous amount of pain.  He used 7 miles of tape around his legs every year, and despite missing 30 - 50 games a year because of his injury he became one of the best center fielders in the history of baseball, one of the best and most prolific home run hitters, and he won the triple crown twice. 

"He hit the longest recorded home run in baseball history, over 600 feet! One home run took off a piece of the Washington Senators' scoreboard. One went into the parking lot of a visiting stadium and smashed through someone's car window."

"Why did you idolize Micky Mantle so much, Gary?" I asked. 

He replied,
"Micky Mantle had courage.
He was really humble, he didn't like the publicity.
He would go on the field in unbelievable pain and play the game.
He would never complain.
He didn't make excuses when he struck out.
When he hit a home run he never taunted the pitcher.
He just played baseball."

"Did you ever see him play, Dad?" asked my girls.  By now, having heard the "interview" they were totally intrigued.

"Oh yeah," said Gary.  "I saw him hit a home run on a day when he was in so much pain that he could barely walk.  It was the bottom of the 9th against the Cleveland Indians, I'll never forget that game.  There were two outs and two guys on base.  The Yankees were down by two runs.

"The manager said to Mickey, 'Look kid if you don't hit a home run, don't run.' (Mick was so hurt he shouldn't have been playing.)

"Mick said, 'Don't worry Casey, I can't even walk.'

"Micky limped to home plate, dragging his bat on the ground.  The first pitch he hit a home run!  He limped around the bases."

By now my husband was clearly emotional, remembering the feelings of pride and love and awe...his eyes were moist.  And I was glad that Jane picked seven for corner view. 

***

We are raising three kids, as most of you know.  The first two are girls, they have been easy for me.  I understand girls, I get them, I know how to motivate them, I know what makes them tick.

My son, as it turns out, is more of a mystery.

Gary and I have been talking about that lately, the psychology of boys, and how Gary is better equipped to guide us in raising our boy, because he understands boys.

Duh.  Took me awhile. 

And somehow this story of courage, and strength, and being a hero -- a true uncomplaining, humble hero, is one I realize will help me understand my son even more.

Next week's corner view theme is "humor."

For more corner views go here:  

jane, ian, bonnie, esti, sophie, caitlin, joyce, kim, kaylovesvintage, trinsch, c.t., ritva, francesca, state of bliss, denise, cabrizette, isabelle, amber, janis, kari, jgy, skymring, elizabeth, allison, lise, cate, otli, ida, dorte, nicola, vanessa, b, kristina, sophie, mcgillicutty, sunnymama, juanita, inna, daan, ibb, jodi, gillian

pienduzz, kelleyn, ninja, guusje, di, sammi, theresa, cherry b, juliette, mulot, helene, shokoofeh, cole, inner toddler, lucylaine, lynn, skywriting, anna, dorit, kenza, conny, l´atelier, kamana, anne marie, rosamaría, marinik, elisabelle, victoria, the yellow door paperie, tikjewit, juniper, annabel, andrea, valerie, merel, soisses, angie, mlle paradis, cacahuete, wander chow, barbara, emily, tally, nadine, matilda, don, flowtops, susanna, katy, castor, tania