Jenna messaged me saying this song was Dantana and I had actually been thinkin' bout it a lot. I know it's weird, but deal with it. Kpish?
But when I bow my head tonight,
There will be no me, myself, and I,
Just watch my wife and kids, please Lord,
that's all I ask for anymore....
-Trace Adkins
Once upon a time all he wanted in life was to hit a homer on Saturday night and for Becky Martin realize that he was breathing. He usually got his homer, but Becky Martin was far more entertained by the quarter back instead of the Martin Van Buren Bruins pinch hitter. He prayed for a good grade on a test he forgot to study for and maybe for his dad to cut him some slack once in awhile.
It made him shake his head; if only he knew then what he knew now.
He prayed for one pink line on the EPT test Gina took when they were seventeen and for the Yankees to win the series. He prayed for his dad not to smell the alcohol on his breath when he came home drunk from a party and for the scouts from SUNY to recognize his talents. He prayed harder than he ever had for his wrist not to be broken in the minors.
Sometimes, when he didn't get what he wanted, like a sullen child he shouted at the heavens. If only God had kept his wrist safe, if only God had let him hit the homer, if only God had let his Dad be asleep when he had gotten home from the party.
God, or whatever deity ruled, had granted him more second chances than the likes of him deserved. After almost a year, he was walking on his own two feet unaided, barely feeling the affects of his injuries now. God had given him an angel with a country girl attitude and a Montanan accent. He had received the most precious gift of all in the form of his daughter. His little girl who's face lit up a room and giggle made his heart soar. His precious things.
As he closed his eyes in reverence that night as Lindsay slept softly beside him, he whispered into the dark, "Hey... it's... me, Danny.... Look, I know it's been awhile. I know I'm usually pretty selfish, but I get it now. Lindsay and Lucy... they're my precious things. They're more important than a promotion or pay raise. All I ask.. protect them. Please. Keep my wife and daughter safe when I can't. Let them laugh and be happy. Whatever happens, keep them safe. That's all that matters anymore. My precious things."