Applauding Colby Lewis

This blog is in response to the article written in the LINK below:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31751_162-20055731-10391697.html

Richie Whitt, a columnist, criticized Texas Rangers pitcher, Colby Lewis, for missing a scheduled start to attend the birth of his daughter in California. Below is a letter that I have written for Mr. Whitt:

Dear Mr. Richie Whitt,

You are, in every sense of the word, an idiot. Criticizing a man for skipping a start (or work) to attend the birth of his own child; have you no soul, sir? Do you have any idea how many single mothers and fatherless children there are that would love to have a man in their life that took fatherhood as seriously as Colby Lewis? I applaud any man that steps up and plays the "father" and "loving husband" role that many men are too much of a coward to play.

Major league baseball players spend a good part of their lives on the road and away from their friends and family. Many ball players, or any athlete, for that matter, are known to be promiscuous and/or monogamously-challenged. So, when we get a man like Colby Lewis, who makes the sacrifice to be with his wife and family during the birth of their child, you go out there and slam him for making the decision that most people wouldn't even think twice about. In fact, look at the poll on CBS.com which asks, "Was it ok for Colby Lewis to miss a start to witness the birth of his daughter?" Now, go ahead and vote "no" because we all know that's how you feel. When you submit your response, you'll notice that 98% of those that took the poll completely disagree with you and fully support Colby Lewis' decision to be home with his family during the birth of his daughter.

Being a "man" is not something that one can earn solely based on his age, his job, what he owns, how much money he has, or the number of women he's able to sleep with. Many attributes constitute what truly makes a "man" and I'm sure that I'll leave out quite a few of them. However, here are some of the ones that I think are most important: 1) assumes responsibility for his actions; 2) if he has children, he does everything that he can to give his children the life that he never had; 3) many men die alone and many take love for granted...so a real "man" recognizes that what he has is special and does everything within his power to make her feel loved, protected, special, beautiful, and needed; 4) does everything that he can to improve himself (academically, economically, spiritually, health-wise, etc.); 5) when a child that he helped create is born, that child becomes priority #1; 6) and he does everything that he can to help and take care of societies most vulnerable (elderly, single mothers, children, etc.)

You see, Mr. Whitt, many of the problems in society stem from the fact that "men" just have not been doing their part and have not been encouraging other men to do what is right. Young children enter gangs because that is the only love and support that they can find. They commit crimes because they didn't have a father at home to discipline them and to demonstrate morality. They abuse women because a real "man" wasn't there to show them how to properly treat a woman. Can you imagine what this country would be like if society didn't have those problems?

I am fortunate enough to have had two loving and motivated parents to raise me and that did everything in their power to give me the life that they never had. There were many times that we were barely scrapping by, drinking powdered milk, eating food given to us from friends and neighbors, wearing clothes from Goodwill or hand-me-downs from my parents' co-workers, etc. Despite how difficult it was for my parents, there was never a moment of despair, sorrow, or noticeable difficulty. Although it was hard for them, they did everything within their power to take us camping, celebrate every holiday, to see movies at the drive-in, take us to the park, to give us wonderful and memorable Christmases, and to teach us the power of love and of family.

I know all of the characteristics of a strong, single mother because I was raised by one. I know all of the characteristics of a strong, single man because I was raised by one. Even though our parents were divorced, my brothers and I never experienced the ills that plague many broken homes and divorced families. My father didn't have to stay in Washington, but he did. He stayed here because he knew the importance of a man's role in his son's lives. He was there every other weekend and every other Tuesday and attended all of our baseball games and school events; as did our mother.

There are many ways in which a man can earn the title of a "man". My Father had his way, your father had his way, you have your way, and Colby Lewis has his. I don't know what kind of an upbringing he had and neither do you. However, you and I can both recognize and acknowledge that he's doing what he feels he needs to do in order to be there for his wife and family, to be a loving husband, to be a father, and to, ultimately, be a "man".

It's important for men, like you and me, to encourage other men to be responsible and to be there for their families. Slamming a man for doing what's right reflects poorly on, not only you, but on all men. It sends out the wrong message. Colby Lewis did what he needed to do and we should be applauding him, not discouraging him.

Sincerely,

Matthew Thomas Cornwall