Thinking Out Loud Online
Family
One for My Nephew
Jan 7th
I drove 380 miles in one direction just so that I could see a baby boy’s dazzling smile. An invitation extended by my brother Mike, in a not completely lucid moment, led to a road-trip that I needed more than he probably knew. The calendar had flipped from 2008 to 2009, ending what had been a tumultuous year for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. While there was plenty of good among the considerable amount of bad, the net result had left me drained. The new year required a renewal of perspective. What better way to do it than to see the world through an infant’s eyes? Thus, I was off to see my nephew Owen.
Their First Game
Aug 20th
This post could easily have been about an opportunity lost. At just about any other time, it would’ve focused on John Maine’s erratic pitching (O runs allowed but only lasting 5 innings), another blown save by the bullpen after tempting fate all weekend, Damion Easley’s rally killing double plays, and the lack of clutch hitting in general.
While those are valid topics all, this post focuses on something special. On Monday, I had the opportunity, along with my brother, to take two kids to their first major league baseball game. This was actually a repeat attempt of a trip to the ballpark last August. That time, we made it to PNC Park for my first trip there but the game was rained out with nary a pitch being thrown.
Gone to Meet My Nephew
Aug 15th
I had been anticipating this trip for quite a while. The feeling started growing the moment my brother and his wife told me they were expecting and continued right through the three months following the baby’s arrival. So, it’s not entirely surprising that when I finally hit the road I arrived here in Washington, PA in record time.
From just about every conceivable angle, this trip could not have come at a much better time. More >