Baseball Fields and Baby Smiles

I still find it amazing the power that a game has over me. I could be having the worst day ever and within a few minutes at the ballpark/basketball court/football field, all of that can be forgotten.

For example, Sunday was one of those days that makes me not only question my career choice, but my sanity. I made the decision to go in late to work after the opportunity to see my family arose, and while I think this was a good decision, it put me in a pretty big hole in regards to my writing for Monday’s paper. By six o’clock, panic had started to creep in as my list of things to write still couldn’t be counted on one hand. By seven, I was in full blown meltdown mode. Thankfully, my beautiful wife Mary talked me off the ledge and I managed to get everything done, or most of it at least.

Even though it ended up being okay, the episode shook me a little. I began wondering if I might be better off doing something else. I’ve always enjoyed eye patches and parrots, maybe I could be a pirate. The thoughts still lingered a little as I finished off my work day on Monday and headed over to Litchfield for the Panthers game against Lincolnwood.

The game was neither particularly close (Litchfield won 16-4) or particularly well played (a high sun and strong wind out to right contributed greatly to some miscues), but there was something about it that made everything okay. I’ve been working on shutting out the outside thoughts in my head more and being more mindful of what I’m doing right there and then. And I think that I accomplish this more at a game than at any other place.

It seems like that there is always something there that can bring a smile to my face, whether it be an amazing play or one that just leaves me shaking my head, like during Monday’s game when a ball was actually lost briefly in the outfield grass. It’s moments like these that I am thankful for because they make me know that I am doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing.

This same feeling translates to my home life as well, in particular my new job as Grace’s dad. One moment she can be screaming bloody murder as I question my worth as a father. But with a look or a few words from me, the smile that melts my heart comes out and I know that the Grace Monster will be okay and that the good times way outnumber the bad.

Now the key is to remember those moments during the rough times, both at work and a home.