The Power and Glory

Original Watercolor & Gouache, 10" x 14"

by Bill Hudson

With Custom Frame.................$ 950

This could be any coastline being pounded by the surf. There's the incredible beauty of nature, yet a reminder that its power can't be contained.

For Dads

.....by Bill Hudson

For me, no gift is greater than the responsibility, privilege, and love that comes with fatherhood.

Last month I discussed my childhood dream of becoming a Major League ballplayer. Although I had some talent as a pitcher, I abandoned that dream early, leaving unanswered questions, “Could I have made it? Did I make a poor decision? Was baseball my intended destiny? What is my purpose?”

Well, 30-40 years later, I had absolute answers to every question and the answers came through my family…my wife and our 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls.

I never wanted our children left wondering “IF” they could have made it. And together we didn’t want to leave any child wasting time with the excuse “If only this had happened.” Ellie and I tried to support our kids’ dreams. Our backyard became a lighted batting cage. And our schedules were filled with baseball, soccer, dance, and girls’ volleyball games.

As our boys grew, I eventually realized: I could never hit like my son Brian. I never had the speed or competitive drive of Joe. I could never pitch like Luke. And I could never field like Will. Compared to my sons, I absolutely could not have “made it to the bigs” and I finally felt comfort with my decisions.

After Luke and Will became professional ball players, the entire family realized something else. Fulfilling a childhood dream is huge, but only one step toward fulfilling life’s purpose of helping others. Now our grown children are teachers, coaches, boosters, and volunteers giving back to their families and the community. Girls softball and boys baseball are huge with our grandkids. My joy is watching, sometimes helping, where I can. It turns out that baseball was, in fact, my true destiny. And baseball has had far greater value than I ever imagined in my childhood dreams.

Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.” For me, that day is celebrated each year around the world.

To all you dads . . .Happy Father’s Day.