"I can breathe in a small town"

There is something magic about small towns. I grew up in small town, Indiana. When I was about 15 John Cougar sang "Small Town" on the radio. I loved the song, but hated living in a small town and just couldn't wait to get outta dodge. Life has a funny way of coming full circle for me. Here I am in a small town; marveling at the wonder of small town ways.

Jackson is "playing" baseball again this spring. He's officially a "bat boy", but he rarely gets a bat. He loves sitting in the dugout with his team, eating sunflower seeds and waiting for the 4th inning so he can play on the playground. He faithfully returns to the diamond to say "good game" and listen to the team meeting at the end of the game. This spring he's even interested in batting and has hit a couple of times during batting practice. There is a great joy for me in watching him interact with the other boys. We get something back that autism once stole away.

Earlier this spring, the mom of girl with autism asked me about the possibility of her being a "bat girl". I was thrilled last week to see her in the dugout in her uniform--so proud--with a smile that would light up the night. I ran into her mom, proudly toting her camera taking pictures. Later I saw her coach at the park and stopped him to say thanks. Little things like being a part of a team mean so much. This coach said he was happy to have her, "it's not a big deal." Oh, but it is a big deal. Opportunities like this aren't always available to kids like mine, making me all the more grateful when there is one.

I bet your wondering what all of this has to do with Mellencamps' "Small Town"...
There is magic in this small town. It's a place where kids like Jackson are included and embraced. It's a place where moms like me have the chance to see special kids do "normal" things. It's a place where everybody knows everybody else, where you know all the parents are looking after all the kids. It's a place where we cheer for the team and take walks to get ice cream. It's a place God put me for a reason...though I am certain my 15 year old self would think I am so not cool.