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At the Mariners’ home opener, a boy’s fall brought a father running — and reminded me of God
From a young fan’s fall to a father’s embrace, moments at a Mariners opener reveal the power of love that lifts us home.
By Greg Asimakoupoulos | FāVS News Writer
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News.
I attended the Seattle Mariners’ home opener a few weeks ago. Although our team lost the first game of the season, it was a memorable night.
The unveiling of the Divisional Championship banner was an awesome sight. The enthusiastic welcome for our team, that came to within eight outs of going to their first World Series, was electric.
But it’s what took place just before the opening pitch that stands out in my mind. It touched my heart. It brought tears to my eyes.
An 11-year-old cancer survivor was invited by Make-a-Wish Foundation to run the bases. Dressed in a junior-sized Mariners uniform, Brody Hamilton lived his dream.
As the boy reached first base, he tripped and fell. It was clear that he’d twisted his ankle. In spite of the pain, young Brody was determined to keep on going. He found his feet and regained his composure.
A male member of his family ran onto the infield and joined the hobbling baserunner until Brody had rounded third and reached home plate.
That inspirational pre-game scene reminded me of a similar moment in Barcelona that captured the world’s attention four decades ago.
A Barcelona moment the world never forgot
During the 1992 Summer Olympics, a runner from the United Kingdom by the name of Derek Redmond was chasing his dream of a gold medal. Halfway through the semi-finals of the 440-meter event, Derek tore his hamstring and fell to the ground in obvious anguish.
Medics rushed onto the track to assist him, but Derek waved them off. Standing up by himself, the injured athlete began to hobble toward the finish line. He was determined to finish the race.
Out of the stadium seats, Jim Redmond, Derek’s father, ran down to field level. He pushed security guards aside as he made his way to where his son was. Wrapping his arm around his son’s shoulder, Jim escorted his son to the finish line. What the thousands in the grandstands observed was deeply emotional.
That unforgettable Olympic moment still moves me to tears whenever I watch it on YouTube. It’s a scene that reminds me of the unfailing love my dad had for me. Throughout my life, my father was there at just the time I needed him most.
Recently I recalled a time when I had crashed and burned emotionally due to poor choices I had made in my youth. My dad wrapped his arms around me and assured me that it was going to be OK. Even though my father passed away 18 years ago, I replay that memorable hug often in my head.
This weekend as I begin my 75th orbit around planet earth, I am more convinced than ever that George Bailey of Bedford Falls isn’t the only person who has had a wonderful life.
I thank God for my most wonderful life thus far. And a key contributor to my blessed life is a father who was there to support and rescue me when I lacked the ability to make it on my own.
But I am confident I am not alone. It is quite possible you had a similar dad or mom (or a surrogate parent figure) who came to your rescue.
As we reflect on our own life-giving experiences of supportive parents, it’s easy to understand why we resonate with what happened at the Mariner’s home opener and at the 1992 Olympics. A supportive dad or mom creates an emotional impact deep within us that is triggered by other’s life experiences we witness or read about.
The parable that explains it all
It’s no wonder we relate to Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son found in the 15th chapter of St. Luke’s Gospel. In that poignant story, the Savior illustrates how our Heavenly Father meets us at the point of our failure, pain and weakness to help us reach our goals.
That portrait of God’s reaching love, a love that embraces us with undeserved grace all the while escorting us home, is one of my favorite passages of Scripture.
It’s a picture that hangs in the gallery of my heart. It continually calls to mind God’s persevering compassion that anticipates our need and runs to meet us where we are.
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Thank you for your uplifting column about parents and how they often can and do have positive impacts on their children along their roads in life. We hear much negativity these days and it is refreshing to hear another version.