Page 13 - TheMoralOfYourStory

12 CHILDART THE MORAL OF YOUR STORY APR-JUN 2021 13
THE REVEREND ERIC WESTER

CHAPLAIN (COLONEL), US ARMY (RETIRED)
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Some of my earliest memories are of my parents and practicing and learned to blend my trumpet sound with
sports, specifically baseball. One picture taken by my the other musicians in our symphonic band. I liked the
mom shows me as a young boy, about five years old. people, and I liked the creativity of music.
With two hands, I am holding up my dad’s baseball glove.
This was my beginning of learning how to catch and I also played lots of organized baseball. Seeing talent in
throw a baseball. It was a beginning that would lead to others pressed me to do my best. We learned to play as
important lessons learned from baseball, and also from teammates, pulling for each other to play well—whether
music, in my youth. it was getting a hit or making a good play in the field. In
the game, you never knew in advance who would make
Lessons from the sport of baseball and insights from the most important play of the day.
the art of music gave me direction. On the baseball field
I learned, little by little, that I could run, throw and hit. One moral mistake I made involved both baseball and
Lesson by lesson, I learned to make music. Being part of music. My mistake was not on the field but was revealed
teams and ensembles taught me a lot about playing with just before the game started. Normally, I was a starting
others. Learning to improve gave me a sense of fitting in. player for our team’s games, but not always. We had
Most importantly, I learned about doing my best and trying enough good players that the coach could choose
to live life doing the right thing. For me, moral direction is between players.

mostly about getting along with others by doing our very All our baseball games were on weekdays, after school.
best. This was required of me in both baseball and music.
DOUBLE Band rehearsals were normally during the school day,
but sometimes the band director scheduled an additional
practice after school. One day, the band director scheduled

PLAY I learned that I am an extra practice on the same day as a scheduled baseball
game. I had a scheduling conflict. I went to the trumpet
practice and skipped the baseball game.
responsible to others.

My mistake was not missing a ball game—that might
have been necessary for various reasons. My mistake
was failing to communicate with my baseball coach.
Without telling the coach, I just didn’t show up for a game.
While learning baseball skills, I learned lessons about Everyone was surprised when I did not appear.
doing the right thing. Playing baseball in our neighborhood,
we relied on fair play. Players on the opposing team, I don’t know if he planned to use me to start that particular
called pitches a “strike” or “ball.” Players on both sides game, but my calculation was way off. I suppose I figured
had to agree calling close plays “safe” or “out” on the the coach would just put someone else in at my position.
bases. Even on opposite teams, we had to listen, learn, I thought I had an “excuse.”
and cooperate. The next day, the coach challenged me about my absence.

Along with baseball, I began learning music. When I was The consequence of my mistake was to be benched for
around eight years old, I began piano lessons. Once a the next game—I didn’t get to play at all. Neglecting to
week, I would meet with my piano teacher who listened let him know and letting down my team with a no-show
to my playing, taught me new skills, and assigned me meant that I needed to learn from failing to speak up.
songs to practice. This prepared me to start learning I learned an important lesson from this mistake. When
the trumpet when I was ten. My parents encouraged me faced with a difficult decision, speak up. Ask for help.
regularly and attended music recitals. Playing music was Being part of a baseball team as well as playing trumpet
part of my life at church, as well. Even as a beginner, in the band meant others were counting on me. I learned
adults at church invited me to play music. Children and that I am responsible to others. I had commitments to
their talents with trumpet, drum, violin, flute, clarinet, and both the band and the baseball team. The responsible
piano were welcomed and celebrated.
action—the right action—would have been to let my coach
When I was a teenager, I joined the school concert band. and band director know in advance about my scheduling
I was not the best trumpet player in the band, but I kept conflict so we could work out the best solution.

ARTWORK KAELAN BRADY AGE 10 USA https://icaf.org