The Home Run

They met inside a cancer ward,
the child and the man.
One a fading baseball star,
and one his greatest fan.

The little boy fought valiantly,
convinced that he'd prevail,
but the enemy was stronger
and he fought to no avail.

"I know I haven't long to live,"
he told his baseball friend,
"but soon I'll be in Heaven
so I do not fear the end."

The player answered, "Heaven
is a place I can't perceive.
Perhaps if I saw proof of
its existence, I'd believe."

The child thought awhile
then he nodded silently,
"Sometimes it's hard to understand
a thing you cannot see.

God makes all things possible,
through His love divine.
Tonight you'll hit a grand home run
and that will be your sign."

The player merely shook his head
as he went on his way.
He hadn't had a hit all year,
he very seldom played.

Although he'd had his glory days,
they all were in the past.
He had faced it long ago,
this season was his last.

Deep in thought that night
he heard the skipper call his name,
"grab a bat and get on deck,
you're going in the game."

He stepped into the batter's box
and took a mighty swing.
He later said that ball flew out
upon an angel's wing.

He rounded all the bases
as his eyes were streaming tears
and the wisdom of a child
still echoed in his ears.

He heard the voice so clearly
as he searched the skies above;
"Now I am in Heaven
and embraced within God's love."