"Go Dodgers," Gannon At Age 5

"Go Dodgers," Anne called out as I was leaving our home to see our grandson, 5 year old Gannon play for the Dodgers against the Giants, another team of 4 and 5 year olds, in a game in which no score is kept, every child bats once an inning and no-one makes an out.

Of course it was also the joy of being with our son Kevin, our daughter in law Melody and Gannon's big brother Brody, age 7. "Hi Grand Dad Dick," said Gannon with a big smile when he saw me. And what a pleasure it was to be greeted by him.

But I spent most of the next hour with Brody, as we explored the area, walking here, there and everywhere he wanted to go.

He asked me if ever he decided to play organized baseball again, would he have to start at the level he left off, with the little kids.

I assured him not. That he would start again with kids his own age and that he would practice before hand to be ready to play at their level.

On this beautiful sunny day, we looked at the varied architecture and landscaping of the homes in the immediate area and he seemed quite interested. We looked at some towering 60 foot tall Eucalyptus trees and he was amused when I told him that they started out half his size, when they were planted at about the time I was his age.

Because of the enormity of their size, he wanted to know if they came from giant seeds. We both chuckled when I assured him they did not.

On our walk, he spotted a 1950's Triumph convertible and seemed fascinated by it. I explained how like architects design homes, car designers create cars, as we looked this car over. Moments later we saw what I guessed was an early 70's giant Lincoln Continental. But unlike the Triumph, this car was in poor shape, but still of interest to us.

Subsequently we saw some huge modern day trucks and he walked up to one and showed me how the tire came up to his chin, as we both chuckled. He also proudly told me how his dad could repair most cars and trucks.

As the game was ending, he and I rejoined the action just in time to see Gannon slide into home plate. I then walked Kevin and his family to their car, sharing with Kevin my great joy in having spent my time with Brody, while Gannon had been the center of attention

We agreed that this time with the children is priceless and an enormous joy to both of us. As we watched Brody and Gannon eat post game treats and joyously run around Melody, their little voices chirping aloud in play, it touched my heart, and I could see it touched Kevin's heart as well.

Dick