Every Spring the youth of Pine Hill gather here to celebrate the start
of the baseball/softball season. No doubt there will be cheers for
great plays and wins, and tears of sorrow over striking out and
losses. That’s just part of the game, that’s life. You see whether
you realize or not there’s much more going on here then learning the
game of baseball and the skills to play it. Over the years you will
not only be learning a game but you’ll be acquiring life skills.
Skills you will need to deal with people and situations life throws at
you. Remember life is not fair, no one ever said it was. We’ve all
seen or experienced that hitless season or the team that just can’t buy
a win. That’s life, and hopefully you’re being taught how to deal with
the good as well as the bad. How to win with modesty, how to loose
gracefully. But life involves more then just games and will deal us
good cards and bad cards. How we respond to what life deals us forms
our character and your character can chart the course of your life.
But sometimes life gets very serious, like on October 1st of last year,
when life dealt the unthinkable card to one very special young man,
Kevin Hyatt whose life was taken in a tragic accident. Not fair. How
could a young man with so much potential, drive and character be taken?
Why? Questions we can’t answer but force us to face our own
mortality. I believe that God has a purpose in everything but we don’t
always understand it because He has told us that His ways are not our
ways, His thoughts not our thoughts. Perhaps it’s to bring us the
place where we have to come to terms with our beliefs in the life
beyond or maybe it’s to remind us of how fragile we are and to be
thankful for each day. We can’t answer the questions and we can’t
change the sadness it has left us with. What we can change is how we
respond to the loss of Kevin. It’s our decision and it can be a
positive experience if look past the sadness and remember the good
times Kevin gave us.
This young man with a zest for life, the interest to explore and push
the boundaries of his capabilities and a competitive spirit second to
none was an inspiration to many. Kevin set a wonderful example with
the many positives he brought to his family and friends like his
intensity in whatever he was involved in, his sensitivity to those he
loved, his willingness to learn and improve and his never say never
attitude.
Kevin possessed great qualities, however, he was still in many ways a
normal 11 year old. For example, when Mrs. Szmidt brought her world
famous Reeses cupcakes down to the soccer field you didn’t set it down
and turn your back if Kevin was around. And Dave and Janet Hyatt will
tell you that you don’t leave a full can of paint at the bottom of the
steps when Kevin is still upstairs. He was a normal 11 year old boy.
Or was he… I am reminded of the Saturday before his accident at the
local convenience store he frequented, Kevin watched another boy shop
lift and as he left the store Kevin ran outside, dragged him back
inside and demanded that he either pay for it or return it. That’s not
a normal 11 year old, that’s a young man of tremendous character.
I admired Kevin a lot, and I envied his courage and drive. And in some
ways I envy him even now because Kevin is in the presence of the
greatness love possible and he now has the answers to everything he
every wanted to know like the Bible says “Now I know in part, then I
shall know fully even as I am fully known.” Imagine, what if Kevin
could speak to us now, what would he say now that he knows what really
matters, now that he knows the truth and he is truly free?
I think I have an idea of what he might say. First to his family and
foremost to his parents Janet and Dave, He’d say “I know your hearts
are broken and you miss me but take hope in that I am now safe and
every tear has been wiped away. I love you and miss you and I will wait
for you patiently because I will see you again.”
To his little sister he would say “KatieMac, I am not there to watch
over and protect you, so choose your friends wisely, study hard and do
your home work. I understand now that knowledge is power. The
greatest part of your life is yet to come and if you start with good
foundation your education can take you anywhere.”
To his many friends and the youth of Pine Hill he would say “Think
before you speak, pick your words carefully, once they are spoken you
can’t take them back and I see now that words can hurt more then you
can possibly imagine. And sometimes, sometimes it’s too late to say I
am sorry. Always do your best and eliminate from your vocabulary the
words “I can’t”. Replace them with I can learn and please teach me
how. Play hard but most of all have fun, remember, it’s only a game.”
And finally to his soccer team, the Pine Hill Raptors and the game he
loved so dearly
“I miss you guys and I am so proud of how you carried on without me. I
left a big gap in the field and you all stepped up to stand in for me.
To each and every Raptor, as only Kevin could say “you da bomb”.
So over this summer and the many years to come, when you walk past
Kevin’s monument listen with your heart to a young man of tremendous
talent, character and drive. Listen and let Kevin inspire you, let him
push the limits of your imagination and abilities beyond what you
believe as he did. And finally, listen and let Kevin remind you that
your relationships with your friends and most importantly your family,
are the most precious things on earth. Guard them and cherish them and
never, never take them for granted.
