Ode to Spring

Here on the East Coast, Fall is fully upon us. The weather is crisp in the morning, we've had our share of rain, and we're all starting to wonder exactly how much snow we will be shoveling THIS winter.

I was cleaning out some computer files today and found a photo that someone (I'm not even sure who) sent me last Spring. At the time, I guess I thought it was just an ok photo -- Mel's eyes are closed, I'm squinting -- but time has made the photo better.

That's Melissa and I at the ballpark, opening day of T-ball. With her off to college, that seems like a long time ago, but it was only six months ago or so. I really enjoy coaching and being on the field with Melissa -- she knows a ton about the game, is able to teach fundamental skills, and she tends to get frustrated when the kids don't do what she wants (I may enjoy that part the most -- now she knows how I feel, heh heh).

We've had a lot of fun over the years at ballparks, and she has helped me coach several teams. The boys on every team she has coached think it's silly that a girl is there to help...until they see her throw. Then she's got immediate field cred.

Now she's off to school in Idaho, where she should be. I'm not coaching, or even much involved in baseball right now, which is not as it should be. But that's what it is. So the photo is a bright reminder of fun times with my daughter, and happy times on a sunny day at the ballpark. Hopefully there are more of those days in the future.

If nothing else, it was worth a smile today.