Swine Flu: Truth Need To Know

by Julia Halewicz
Sept. 28, 2009

Should you be worried? And how can you protect yourself and your grandkids? We asked an expert.

Reports of widespread swine-flu infection in Mexico, Japan, and the United States, and as many as eight deaths in the U.S. — some suspected flu fatalities remain unconfirmed — have shaken parents and grandparents across the country. Pharmacies have sold out their supplies of face masks and schools have closed for disinfecting. The World Health Organization has raised this virus strain’s classification to level 5, which means it has confirmed widespread human-to-human transmission.

Grandparents.com spoke to Dr. Joseph Bocchini, chairman of the department of pediatrics at Louisiana State University Health Science Center and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ committee of infectious diseases, about how grandparents and parents should prepare for the possible threat of swine flu in their families.

GP: How does the swine flu spread, and how can we protect ourselves and our grandchildren from possible infection?

Dr. Joseph Bocchini: Everyone should realize that this virus spreads the same way that other strains of influenza spread. For individuals who are sick: Don’t go to work, don’t go to school, and don’t participate in public activities. Avoid large crowds, and do frequent hand washing. Handwashing is probably the best way to protect yourself because this virus will survive on surfaces. If you touch someone who is contaminated, you get the virus on your hands, and then if you touch your eyes or your nose or your mouth you could spread the virus.

GP: What else can we do?

JB: People who are coughing or sneezing should have Kleenex and they should sneeze into the Kleenex and then throw the Kleenex in the trash. That will help reduce the spread of the organisms into the community or to the people around them.

GP: Is it safe to take grandchildren to the supermarket, to play dates, and to public parks?

JB: The Centers for Disease Control will update on a regular basis what’s happening and provide recommendations for if we need to change what we are doing. If people are staying home as they should when [they have] an acute illness, then routine things that you do in a community [including] playgrounds would be fine unless there is a high degree of activity in your area for which the public health authorities [would advise] not to. If a grandparent is in good health, has no underlying major medical problems and normally goes out, I would continue to do that unless there was some recommendation by the public-health people to avoid that.

GP: What possible changes would public-health authorities recommend?
JB: Public-health authorities will do things that will try to reduce contact. They will close schools, they will close daycare centers, movie theaters, and other public areas to try to reduce the risk of transmission.

GP: Should families prepare for such measures?
JB: I think what families can do right now is think about what they need to do to prepare just in case a school closes and their children will be at home, or if the daycare closes and their children will be at home. Obviously, if we closed school or a daycare, we would rather those children stay at home rather than go out into the community to malls and places where they still might be exposed to the virus. [Discover 7 ways to stay active indoors.]

GP: If grandparents are able to babysit for the grandchildren, should they offer to do so in lieu of sending the kids to daycare?
JB: Not now. I would ask those people to see what their local health authorities are proposing. Much of the response to influenza is going to be on a community-by-community basis. [Read about 5 tricks to staying well when sitting for sick grandchildren.]

GP: How long does it take for swine flu to incubate in a person?
JB: Influenza has a very short incubation period. Usually one-to-three days after exposure would be when we would expect symptoms to begin. The longest incubation period is probably a week. So if someone, for example, has come back from Mexico City and they don’t get sick within a week, they probably don’t have influenza. A week is probably the longest time.

GP: What are the signs of swine flu that we should be alert to?
JB: It is very important that if someone has the classic signs of influenza — sudden onset of chills, high fever [100.3 degrees Fahrenheit], a bad headache, cough, mild nasal congestion, mild nausea, sometimes even vomiting and diarrhea — they should seek advice from their physicians. Tests can be done to determine if they have influenza, and then if they do, they can be treated with Tamiflu or Relenza, antivirals the organism is susceptible to. Our goal would be to treat anybody with influenza early to see if we could modify the course of the infection. The influenza virus that is spreading has been tested and is susceptible to some of the antiviral drugs we normally use.

GP: How can we tell the difference between swine flu symptoms and those of the common cold?
JB: Influenza is a very characteristic illness. Most viruses that produce colds produce a very little fever, and the children who have them usually don’t feel too bad, so that they tend to be able to continue to play or do other things they normally would. Influenza is different. Influenza starts abruptly with hot fever, and the symptoms that we have talked about. Younger kids are irritable, fussy; they don’t want to do things; they want to lie around. Older children will tell you that they’ve got severe headaches, or muscle aches and pains, or lower-back pain — these patients with influenza look different from patients who just have a cold. Any child who has a respiratory illness with significant fever, that’s a patient that needs to be seen by their physician to decide whether they need to be tested for flu. [Learn more about responding to medical emergencies when you’re watching your grandchildren.]

GP: How should families prepare in case their children get infected?
JB: Having your pediatrician’s telephone number available, knowing their office and how it runs and what to do after hours is always good so that you can call and get information and make decisions about what to do for your children.

GP: If a school has been closed because cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the student body, does that mean the street or neighborhood is contaminated?
JB: The virus will survive for a short period of time on clothing or other areas [like money] but outside in the environment, after a very short period of time, the virus is not going to be viable.

GP: What is a “short period of time”?
JB: We’re talking within minutes. For example, if someone has their hand contaminated and they touch the door of a car as they enter the car, and then somebody follows that within five or ten minutes, the chances are that that virus is still viable and if they touch their eye or nose or mouth then they may transmit the virus. An hour later, that is not going to be a problem.

GP: Will wearing a face mask help protect us from swine flu?
JB: Well, that’s arguable. There is very little data on the effectiveness of face masks. If someone is coughing or sneezing, some of the virus that is in the air could be stopped. That’s a small benefit. You’re better off [washing your hands]. Certainly if someone wants to add a mask, it could offer some help but we wouldn’t recommend that as a major way to reduce infection risk.

GP: Should we avoid pork and vegetables grown in Mexico?
JB: There is no evidence of transmission from any food product.

GP: How long will it be before we know how badly the global community will be affected by swine flu?
JB: It is going to depend on whether we reach a peak of activity and it disappears or if the activity just keeps going. I think within a week we will know a lot more. Whether that’s enough to tell us the extent of severity, I wouldn’t be ready to predict.

Editor’s Note: For more of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendations for responding to the swine flu scare, visit its website. The academy also has specific flu-prevention advice for childcare providers. Visit slate.com to learn about the limitations of face masks in preventing the flu.

To find out about specific swine-flu warnings that may be in place in your area (or your grandchildren’s), check the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state-government websites, or your local newspaper.

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Source: Grandparents

Mom I Got My Period

 

By Mary L. Gavin, MD
Sept. 27, 2009 

It’s a funny moment when you get your first period. You can feel a bunch of different emotions. Some girls might be thrilled that the longed-for period has finally arrived. Others might be a little weirded out by the experience. And still other girls might take it completely in stride, deal with it, and go on like nothing happened. Whichever girl you are, it’s important to tell your mom. It’ll be easier to get the supplies you need. Just remember that she was once your age, getting her first period, so she knows this territory well.

Source: Kids Health

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

How can I talk to my mom about guy stuff?

 

By Mary L. Gavin, MD
Sept. 27, 2009

When you’re going through all the changes of puberty, you should have someone you can go to when you have a question or concern. That person could be your mom. (Moms know about guy stuff, too!) You could also turn to a male relative, like a grandfather, uncle, or older cousin. When you visit your doctor, you can ask him or her questions. They’re experts in how kids’ bodies grow and change.

One easy place to start is with a web site for kids (like this one!) or a good book about growing up. Your mom could help you find one or you could search the health section in your local library. Sometimes knowing a few facts can help you feel more comfortable when talking to your mom about growing up.

Source: Kids Health

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

McGruff – Choosing What To Watch

McGruff and Scruff
Sept. 26, 2009

In 1974, a neighborhood crime watch group was organized in South Dade County. Citizens met with their local law enforcement departments to ask what they could do to help the police apprehend a rapist terrorizing their community. From this first informal meeting, communities and law enforcement began to work together to keep neighborhoods safe and free from crime. An organization was formed, and Citizens’ Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County, Inc. (CCW) was registered as a 501(c) (3) non profit organization. Today, over 1,600 neighborhoods participate in the crime watch concept.

In 1979, the crime watch concept was introduced into the public school system at one school. Because it succeeded in curbing school crime, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) requested we, CCW, expand its student crime watch program from one school to include all public schools in the county. Since that time, Youth Crime Watch of Miami-Dade (YCW) has functioned as an allied program of the public schools.

Methodology The public school system contracts with YCW to educate and train students in violence and crime prevention strategies. Children also learn that good citizenship and personal responsibility include watching out for family, friends, schools and community. YCW maintains a presence in all M-DCPS.

The foundation of the YCW program is built upon a “school safety survey” which is administered at the school during the first few months of the school year. It asks respondents to rank their particular safety concerns – those issues which they believe have the potential to cause harm to themselves or their schoolmates. YCW students, student advisors, and our staff are then enlisted in the effort to resolve those issues impeding the safety, health, and education of young people. The results of the survey are prioritized and comprise the core content of the YCW program.

The YCW program is structured to teach leadership skills to students who volunteer to learn about school safety. While they learn how to keep themselves safe, they also learn public speaking, critical thinking, leadership, and other skills that will serve them into their adult lives. This, in turn, reinforces their self-esteem and promotes positive involvement, again curbing misbehavior, crime and violence in the school.

I’m McGruff the Crime Dog – world famous for my advice on how to stop crime before it happens, and for my great sense of humor. But seriously, my job is to help people, especially kids, learn how to be safe and make their neighborhood safer. Something else you should know about me is that I go all over the country to talk to people about how they can take a bite out of crime. So if you see me in your town, come on up and say hi. You can recognize me by my tan trench coat – I never go anywhere without it.

This here is my nephew Scruff. He helps me show kids how they can stay safe. Scruff’s a good pup but sometimes gets himself into a bit of trouble. Lucky for him he’s got a good memory – eventually he remembers the right thing to do to get out of trouble. Want to know more about me and Scruff?

You can read more about yours truly in the story How McGruff Became the Crime Dog, and you can read some of Scruff’s adventures in these comic books.  

Today we will talk about: Choosing What To Watch

 

Do you watch TV to relax? Most kids do. What some kids don’t think about is what the TV is actually saying to them. TV shows, movies, commercials, and video games all show us ways that people act and things that they do. It’s important to think carefully about what you watch though, so that it doesn’t change the way you act.

When you watch TV shows and movies, or play video games, watch out for violence, or people hurting other people. Violence on TV, where no one really gets hurt, is different from violence in real life. When people are violent in real life (such as when they’re acting like bullies), someone gets hurt. And not just one person—the violent person gets in trouble, the victim gets hurt, and everyone who cares about both people ends up sad, too. Part of being smart about how you watch is seeing the difference between TV and real life. When you watch TV with your family, talk about how what you see is different from reality, and what is left out on TV.

Once you have learned to see the difference between TV and real life, you’ll know when to change the channel or turn the TV off. Watching violence is bad for people. If what you’re watching or playing is violent, turn it off. Watch something else. Play outside. Sometimes it’s that simple to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime.”

Source: McGruff

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Chicken Pitas

 

by Melissa Keller
Sept. 26, 2009

 

Description
This is quick and easy and everyone loves it!

Ingredients

 
4 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
4 slices provolone cheese,
4 tbsp. Ranch dressing Hidden Valley,
4 slices of pita bread,
1-16 oz. bag of frozen pepper and onion stir fry

Directions

In a skillet, brown chicken strips in 2 Tbsp. of olive oil. Next, add stir fry mixture until soft but still firm. While this is cooking, warm pita bread in microwave for 30 seconds with one slice of provolone on top of each piece. Top with chicken mixture and then with 1 Tbsp. of Ranch dressing and then fold up. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 10 Min
Total Time: 20 Min
Servings: 4

Source: Eversave

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Dealing With The Food Allergy Blues

By Alexander

Sept. 25, 2009

 

 

Dear Alexander,

(Q) Sometimes I feel sad because I have a food allergy, so I pretend to be happy. What can I do to feel better?

(A) Lots of kids feel sad sometimes about having a food allergy, but it’s important to remember that having a food allergy is part of what makes you unique. So keep your chin up. Don’t forget, there are over 12 million people in the United States who have food allergies, and 2 million of those are kids just like you.

Talk to your parents when you are feeling sad and let them know how you feel. Talking to them can help out a lot. Try keeping a journal of your feelings as this can help, too.

Positive thinking is the key.

Good luck!

Your friend,

 

Alexander the Elephant

Source: Food Allergy

 

Editor’s Note: The information above is not designed to take the place of a doctor’s instructions. Patients are urged to contact a doctor for specific information regarding guidelines for care.

We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

You’re Making Your Child Fat

By Jennifer Gruenemay
Special to Lifescript
Sept. 27, 2009

Let’s face it: It’s tough to get kids to eat healthy foods when they’re screaming for fries or ice cream. But more than 12.5 million U.S. children are overweight and face chronic disease ahead. Are you setting your child up for trouble? Read on for the 10 biggest food mistakes parents make…

Today’s parents are up against the biggest food fight of any previous generation.

Everywhere you look, more junk foods and sugary drinks are available to our children, and there are more kid-targeted food commercials on TV.

“The No. 1 ‘vegetable’ the average 18-month-old consumes in the U.S. is French fries,” says Christina Schmidt, M.S., a certified nutrition educator and author of The Baby Bistro and The Toddler Bistro (Bull Publishing Co.).

What’s worse: Many parents don’t see a problem.

“Parents don’t get it,” says William H. Dietz, M.D., director of the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Only 42% of parents cite childhood obesity as a health concern, according to the 2007 National Poll on Children’s Health by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Why?

Some don’t know the nutritional content of the food they serve. Others don’t want to be the “bad guy” and force fruits and veggies on finicky eaters.

Yet childhood obesity can shorten life expectancy by up to five years and lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, Dietz says.

A recent study in the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity also found that obese children with big bellies are at greater risk for future heart problems.

“Seventy percent of obese children today already have one cardiovascular risk factor, such as elevated blood pressure,” Dietz says.

What’s fueling this obesity epidemic? Not enough exercise, for one. Plus, too much face time with TVs and computers, which experts say are linked.

As a result of this media overload, children ask for foods they see in ads, Dietz says.

That’s why parents have to step in.

“No matter how strong outside influences are, what we do at home is stronger,” says Nancy Tringali Piho, author of My Two-Year-Old Eats Octopus: Raising Children Who Love to Eat Everything (Bull Publishing Co.).

 

Here are 10 mistakes parents make when feeding kids:

 

1. Deferring authority.
“Don’t ask your child what he’d like to eat,” Dietz advises. They’ll say “gummy worms” or “ice cream.”

Instead, tell them what’s on the menu and that there will be no substitutions.

“Parents have to remember they’re parents,” says chef Ann Cooper, author of Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children (Collins Living). Your job is to provide nourishing foods; your child’s role is to eat them and reap the nutritional benefits.

 

2. Offering too many choices.
Making hot dogs for one kid, mac ‘n’ cheese for another and a “grown-up” meal for Mom and Dad will drive a home cook crazy.

“Parents shouldn’t be running short-order restaurants,” Cooper says. Plan one menu for the entire family.

But ask your children for their opinion. Broccoli or green beans? Or serve them both.

“Offering two or three choices of a fruit or vegetable encourages kids to try at least one of them,” says Baby Bistro author Schmidt.

 

3. Not setting limits.
The worst thing for a child is not knowing the limits or having ones that constantly change, Dietz says.

Every kid needs boundaries, so stand your ground when it comes to what your child eats. If on Monday you proclaim “no fast food,” don’t go to Burger King on Friday. It sends mixed messages and kids quickly pick up on that ambiguity.

Also, don’t set limits you can’t — and shouldn’t — keep, like banning all foods with sugar. There’s just no way around a little sweet stuff in a kid’s life — and there shouldn’t have to be.

Experts agree: “Everything in moderation.”

Even after you’ve set boundaries, expect them to be tested — repeatedly. Just stand your ground.

 

4. Underestimating kids’ willingness to eat an assortment.
“One mistake parents make is not exposing [their kids] to a wide variety of foods and flavors from an early age,” Tringali Piho says.

Start small and build on each success. Forgo the white-bread PB&J; offer up cucumber and hummus on whole wheat instead. Your kid’s taste buds might surprise you both.

Also, make learning about new chow a game. Let your children discover a new food – through books, the Internet or from friends. Then help them prepare it.

“Kids love to be hands-on with everything they’re learning,” Schmidt says. The more they’re involved, the more likely they are to eat happily.

 

5. Worrying they’ll go to bed hungry.
Hunger can be a persuasive learning tool. Next time your children refuse to eat what you’ve prepared, tell them: “The choices are to eat it now, later or nothing at all,” Schmidt says.

“Unless children learn that they’ll be hungry if they don’t eat, they won’t learn to eat what’s offered,” Dietz says.

If your children push away the food, be matter-of-fact about it, he says. Simply put the plate aside, so they can eat it later.

This may be harder on parents. It’s never fun to watch your children cry and scream. And you don’t want them to go to bed hungry.

But they’ll learn to make a better choice next time: I guess I’ll just eat the salmon patty. Hey, this tastes kind of good!

 

6. Making excuses for their eating habits.
“If kids are labeled as picky, they’ll act that way,” Schmidt says.

Instead, be persistent. Offer up the despised foods as many times and in as many forms as possible. Broccoli hater? Try it steamed, roasted, baked in a quiche, chopped up with a low-fat dip or served with veggie sticks.

 

7. Worrying that they’re not eating enough.
When a child has consumed only three graham crackers all day, it can drive a parent to force them to eat.

The strategy will backfire, Dietz says.

“There’s no quicker way to get a child not to eat than by forcing him or her to eat,” he says.

Even if your child has barely touched food all day, don’t worry.

“Children regulate their nutrition intake surprisingly well,” Schmidt says.

They learn to recognize their natural hunger and satiety cues. “Forcing them to eat destroys these healthy instincts.”

Children go through natural periods of eating very little or eating more than you’d expect. It’s normal and linked to their growth cycles. But if you’re concerned, talk to your pediatrician about whether a multivitamin will provide the nutrition they need.

 

8. Always disguising healthy foods.
Would you recognize zucchini if it showed up only in muffins or cookies? Sneaking extra veggies into prepared products isn’t bad, but it’s important to offer them in their natural state too.

“If we keep those green veggies under wraps all the time, children will never choose them in their true [form],” Schmidt says.

Get to the root of the situation – literally.

“If we want to change children’s relationship to food, we have to get kids involved in cooking, gardening and grocery shopping,” Cooper says.

Grow veggies in a garden pot or plot. Or go to a nearby you-pick-it farm. When children see where food comes from and help get it from farm to table, they’ll appreciate it more.

It helps instill a sense of ownership in what they’re eating – “I picked that strawberry!” or “I grew that tomato!”

 

9. Offering rewards or bribes for eating.
Bribery is another trick nearly every parent uses – but shouldn’t.

“Don’t reward children for eating foods they don’t like by giving them junk foods,” Dietz says. That means not dishing out ice cream because they’ve finished the spinach.

Sure, you’re enticing kids to eat the good stuff, but it will just make mealtime more difficult for you. Before long, they’ll be bribing you with, “I’ll only eat it if I can have a sno-cone!”

 

10. Giving up too soon.
“Parents need to repeatedly introduce new food before accepting that their child doesn’t like it,” Dietz says.

A scrunched-up face or barfing noise doesn’t mean game over.

“It takes eight to 15 times for a child to accept a new food,” Schmidt says.

Most parents give up after two or three tries.

Vary your approach and be creative with presentation, Schmidt suggests. Cut foods into fun shapes (like zucchini stars), make mini versions of their favorites or call foods by nicknames.

Finally, don’t expect good eating habits to be a piece of cake.

“‘Success’ is not defined as ‘no conflict,’” Tringali Piho says. “No one ever said it will be easy!” 

 

Are You Making Your Child Fat?
Are you in control of your child’s healthy eating habits, or could your parenting style be making your child fat? Take this quiz to find out.

Check out Health Bistro for more healthy food for thought. See what Lifescript editors are talking about and get the skinny on latest news. Share it with your friends (it’s free to sign up!), and bookmark it so you don’t miss a single juicy post!

Do you have a friend or family member who battled breast cancer? We want to feature your loved one on our site! Send a picture of your loved one to editorial@lifescript.com.

Source: Lifescript

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Spend Time With Kids – Make A Racket

By Family Fun
Sept. 27, 2009

These rubber band rackets can be used with almost any kind of ball, including a tennis, Wiffle, or beach ball. A foam one is ideal for smaller play areas.

 

 

 

 

 

CRAFT MATERIALS:

Plastic pipe

Rubber bands

Time needed: About 1 to 2 Hours

 

Assemble the head: Use a fine-tooth handsaw to cut the PVC pieces shown below (you’ll have a few inches of pipe left over). Using the diagram as a guide, join the pieces to make the racket head.

Add the handle: Squeeze some tacky glue inside the tee fitting, then insert one end of the 16-inch-long piece. Slide the pipe cap onto the bottom.

String the racket: To string the racket head, stretch 16 rubber bands around the square horizontally, then add 7 vertically on each side of the handle.

Go out and play: Play Pro Kadima style, go for distance records, or draw a chalk court in your driveway for blacktop tennis matches.

Source: Family Fun

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

Water Balloon Catch

by Family Fun
Sept. 27, 2009

This wet and wacky game is as refreshing as a dip in the pool. On a hot day, even if you drop the ball, you’re still cool.

 

 

 

WHAT YOU NEED:

Gallon-size milk jugs (one for each player)

Tape

Ribbons

Water balloons

 

HOW TO PLAY:
1. Create the catchers by cutting the bottom off a gallon-size milk jug (one for each player), taping the cut edges, and decorating with ribbon, as shown.

2. Fill a bunch of water balloons to the size of a grapefruit.

3. See how many times you can toss the balloons without breaking them or how far you can catch and throw them.

Source: Family Fun

 

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

A Touching Story

By Unknown
Sept. 26, 2009

Editor’s Note: Do you know what “Joyology” means? It is the study of caring, sharing, listening and Sacrifice.

This was written by Mr Jeineke in 1975

We would like to know what you think: dan@goldcoastchronicle.com

What is a Joyologist? A joyologist, then would be one who studies joylogy. Frankly our world could use a great many joyologists whose mission in life is to actively research the effects of discussing and sharing joy. The research could branch out into how joy effects our careers, family lives, and friendships. The very act of doing the active research should spread jubilation throughout the world and bring about positive results. What a fun job!

All one needs to start with is to share the words joyism, joyology, and joyologist with others. Use the words daily and make them a part of the world’s vocabulary.

The upcoming year is going to challenge us all. Here is something we need to think about:  A Touching Story.

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the school’s students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.

After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question. “Everything God does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is God’s plan reflected in my son?”

The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. “I believe,” the father answered, “that when God brings a child like Shay into the world, an opportunity to realize the Divine Plan presents itself. And it comes in the way people treat that child.”

Then, he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, “Do you think they will let me play?”

Shay’s father knew that most boys would not want him on their team. But the father understood that if his son were allowed to play it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging. Shay’s father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, “We are losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning.”

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. At the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield. Although no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay’s team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base. Shay was scheduled to be the next at-bat. Would the team actually let Shay bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have ended the game.

Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.

Everyone started yelling, “Shay, run to first. Run to first.” Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, “Run to second, run to second!”

By the time Shay was rounding first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman for a tag. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher’s intentions had been, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head. Shay ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home.

As Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, “Run to third!” As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, “Shay! Run home!”

Shay ran home, stepped on home plate and was cheered as the hero, for hitting a “grand slam” and winning the game for his team.

“That day,” said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of the Divine Plan into this world.”

And now, a footnote to the story. We all send thousands of jokes through e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages regarding life choices, people think twice about sharing. The crude, vulgar, and sometimes the obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of decency is too often suppressed in school and the workplace.

If you are thinking about forwarding this message, you are probably thinking about which people on your address list aren’t the “appropriate” ones to receive this type of message.

The person who sent this to you believes that we can all make a difference. We all have thousands of opportunities a day to help realize God’s plan. So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a
choice: Do we pass along a spark of the Divine? Or do we pass up that opportunity, and leave the world a bit colder in the process?

I received this via e-mail with no author. It touched my heart and I wanted to share it with others. If you would like for me to e-mail you this story, please click here. Make sure and asked for the “Touching Story”.

Source: Joyolog.org

Editor’s Note: We would like to know what you think. dan@youngchronicle.com

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