I’ve always contested that of our two jobs, my wife’s is the more relevant. In fact, I believe that most jobs are more relevant than baseball. There are some who argue this point with me, saying that baseball brings joy to people’s lives and provides role models and thus plays an important role in our social structure. However, I fail to see how that makes baseball unique from several other profession that could easily do the same, and do it better. What I mean to say is, I don’t think baseball provides a service on par with many of the other services in our world that don’t receive the glory and attention that ball does. If you’ve read my book (#plug!), you may remember a line about baseball not being as important as roles like Doctor or Peacemaker or Solider etc… None the less, the role of Baseball Player is compensated and heralded in ways that make it seem infinitely more important. Still, I come back to a thought that seems to run through my mind every year around this time, when baseball seems to take center stage in many people’s lives: take baseball out of the world and the world will keep spinning, but if you remove some of those other professions, it may very well stop.
I believe my wife plays a world stopping role for many of the people she works with, and that’s why I think her job puts mine to shame. She is a music therapist, and seeing the joy and confidence she conjures in the eyes of the people she works with is stunning. Her clients are children and adults with Special Needs, and her work with them is nothing short of transformative.
Since I’ll be attending spring training this year as a minor league invitee, people ask me what my next move would be if I don’t make a team out of camp. They’re always alarmed to find out that I have lots of ideas, and exhuberance for each. Mostly, I believe they are shocked to find I won’t be broken hearted if I don’t make a club. Of course, I didn’t spend all off-season busting my hump to show up to camp and go through the motions—I hope I have many great baseball years ahead of me, starting this year. However, after going through injury, writing a book, and seeing the other side of the baseball coin, I can honestly say that if the worst happens in this game, I’m not going to cry over it. I’ll move on and be just fine. Some folks may say this sentiment some how shows a lack of desire. I contest the contrary, I think it shows balance and perspective; two things that let a person put this game in its proper, manageable place when all the drama of pro sports in a culture obsessed with sports entertainment comes crashing in. I also think this begs the question: what is more important in a person’s life, his job, or his peace of mind?
Watching my wife work always reminds me that just because one profession is ballyhood more fervently than another, does not make that other profession some how less important or fulfilling. Indeed, watching her work has made me realize what I can do with my own work if I use the platform for all it’s capable of. Every career can be a transformative one, but it’s not because of the career itself, but how it’s used in the hands of those capable professionals who have mastered balance and perspective along with their trade. That said, I hope this year I can make my wife as proud of me in my profession as I am of her in hers. (Happy Valentines Day, Mrs Garfoose)
Please enjoy these pictures (taken by your’s truly) of my wife’s latest Share Day event with her special Garfooslings. Also, for more amazing inspiration and insight into the Special Needs world, check out this wonderful blog
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