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Show Page 9 MAY 11,2006 THE GARFIELD COUNTY INSIDER WHAT WOULD YOU DO.... However, as Shay stepped up to the What would you do? You make the choice! Don't look for a punch line; plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other There isn't one! Read it anyway. Would team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps you have made the same choice? At a fundraising dinner for a school to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at that serves learning disabled children,the least be able to make contact. The first father of one of the students delivered a pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and speech that would never be forgotten by missed. The pitcher again took a few all who attended. After extolling the school steps forward to toss the ball softly toand its dedicated staff, he offered a ques- wards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground tion: "When not interfered with by outside ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over, but the influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, can- pitcher picked up the soft grounder and not learn things as other children do. He could have easily thrown the ball to the cannot understand things as other chil- first baseman. Shay would have been out dren do. Where is the" natural order of and that would have been the end of the game. things in my son?" Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. "I believe,that over the head of the first baseman, out of when a child like Shay, physically and reach of all team mates. Everyone from mentally handicapped comes into the the stands and both teams started yelling, world, an opportunity to realize true hu- "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never man nature presents itself, and it comes, in his life had Shay ever ran that far but in the way other people treat that made it to first base. He scampered down child.'Then he told the following story: the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Shay and his father had walked past Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run a park where some boys Shay knew to second!" Catching his breath, Shay were playing baseball. Shay asked,"Do awkwardly ran towards second, gleamyou think they'll let me play?" Shay's fa- ing and struggling,to make it to second ther knew that most of the boys would base. By the time Shay rounded towards not want someone like Shay on their team, second base, the right fielder had the ball, but the father also understood that if his the smallest guy on their team, who had a son were allowed to play, it would give chance to be the hero for his team for the him a much-needed sense of belonging first time. He could have thrown the ball and some confidence to be .accepted by to the second-baseman for the tag, but others in spite of his handicaps. he understood the pitcher's intentions and Shay's father approached one of the he too intentionally threw the ball high and boys on the field and asked if Shay could far over the third-baseman's head. Shay play, not expecting much. The boy looked ran toward thirdbase deliriously as the around for guidance and said, "We're los- runners ahead of him circled the bases ing by six runs and the game is in the toward home. eighth inning. I guess he can be on our All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, team and we'll try to put him in to bat in Shay, all the Way Shay" the ninth inning." Shay reached third base, the opposShay struggled over to the team's ing shortstop ran to help him and turned bench put on a team shirt with a broad him in the direction of third base, and smile and his Father had a small tear in ^shouted, "Run to third! Shay, run to third" his eye and warmth in his heart. The ' As Shay rounded third, the boys from boys saw the father's joy at his son be- both teams and those watching were on ing accepted. In the bottom of the eighth their feet were screaming, "Shay, run inning, Shay's team scored a few runs home! Shay ran to home, stepped on the but was still behind by three. In the top plate, and was cheered as the hero who of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove hit the "grand slam" and won the game and played in the right field. Even though for his team. no hits came his way, he was obviously That day, said the father softly with ecstatic just to be in the game and on the tears now rolling down his face, , field, grinning from ear to ear as his fa- the boys from both teams helped bring a ther waved to him from the stands. In piece of true love and humanity into the bottom of the ninth inning. Shay's team this world. scored again. Now, with two outs and Shay didn't make it to another sumthe bases loaded, the potential winning mer and died that winter, having never run was on base and Shay was sched- forgotten being the hero and making his uled to be next at bat. Father so happy and coming home At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace and give away their chance to win the her little hero of the day! game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the A wise man once said every society is bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but judged by how it treats it's least impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know fortunate amongst them. how to hold the bat properly, much less What can you do to make someones connect with the bafl.''''''''" * : ' '*v'' *' '*'''' " ' d a y - t o d a y 1 ? — ^ • ^ • 1 : '•: •• '• * '•'' •'"•'• OBITUARIES DEE COOLEY Panguitch, Utah DeVere "Dee" Cooley, 77, of Panguitch, passed away May 5, 2006 in St. George, Utah. He was bom April 28,1929 in Panguitch to Myron O. and Alda Miller Cooley. He lived most of his life in Utah. He loved the out of doors, fishing, hunting and being in the mountains. His favorite place was the Cooley Cabin at Panguitch Lake, which he helped to build; he was a true Panguitchite. He joined the Navy when he was 17 years old and was happy to serve his country. The last years of his life were spent as a resident of the Garfield Memorial Hospital - Extended Care Unit. He loved the staff and was grateful for their love and care. Under the tutelage of Roxann, he created many crafts, but was best known for his bird houses, mail boxes and creative colors. He received ribbons and awards at the county fair for these crafts and his greatest joy was when he could share them with friends and family. He loved his family, extended family - many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be missed by all of them as well as a large contingency of friends. Dee's family extends their appreciation to the doctors, nurses and the wonderful staff at both the Panguitch and St. George hospitals and extended care unit for the many hours of love and care shown to Dee. He is survived by brothers and sisters: Verda (Angie) Niinley, Elva (Jay T.) Richman both of St. George, Carl Cooley of Reno, Nv, Rea (Leon) Allsop of Salt Lake City, Edward 'Ted" (Jackie) Cooley of Gunnison, Arlene (Randy) Barthelomew of Fillmore; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary R. Cooley, Nadene J. Cooley, Elmo Christensen. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bill and Ken and a sister Carroll Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 12,2006 at 1:00 p.m. in the Panguitch 2nd and 3rd LDS Ward Chapel, 200 North 400 East, where friends may call one hour prior to service time. Burial will be in the Panguitch Cemetery with Military Rites provided by the Panguitch'American legion Post #25. Funeral directors, Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guest book www.maglebymortuary.com. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions to the Garfield Memorial Hospital's Extended Care Unit be made in care of Roxann Simpkins. Panguitch * * SPECIALS * * Scrapbook Supplies One Item with purchase of $20 or more. |