I wish that I could take your pain away, And put it here upon this weary heart; To raise my heat and call my God today, To take your pain makes you of me a part. I wish to never see a look of grief, Except to see that guise upon myself; Your ails I'd give a great and whole relief, By bringing them upon my very health. I'd wish to toss with pain all of the night, To know that in your bed you gently lie; To see your grief a hopeful end in sight, Extracts from me a Heaven's loving sigh. And now ...

It's his first time without them. You can tell that he's uncertain, Tentative, and even a little scared. "My mom and sister like to leave them in," He says to me As he stares and where the bumpers should be. "I'll probably throw gutter balls all day." I could hear the resignation in his young voice. Better to expect failure than to be surprised, I was sure that was what he was thinking. "I'll bet you won't," I say Hoping that my optimism would spill out from me And that, after getting his fee...