It was a little after 10 am on a sunny Saturday morning as I arrived at 5 year old Gannon's Dodgers season ending baseball game with the Angels. As I walked across the green grass of left field to join Kevin and Melody, our son and daughter in law, I looked at all the little 4 and 5 year old players.
Gannon's Dodgers wore bright blue jerseys and white pants and were on the field. At bat were the Angels, in their bright red jerseys and white pants.
"Pay attention Gannon," I heard a man gently call out to my grandson.
Just then with a tremendous burst of energy and speed, Gannon's big brother, 7 year old Brody ran across the field and threw his arms around me in a grand hug. "Would you like to take walk," I asked after hugging him back. He said yes but needed to check with his parents so they would know where he was.
With a big smile, I waved at Melody, who gave me an even bigger smile and heartier wave back as only she can. And with that, Brody and I were off on our adventure. "We'll go anyplace you want to go," I told him.
With a warm glow on his happy little face, he led us on a walk behind three other baseball fields and out into the surrounding neighborhood, as he enthusiastically shared his thoughts.
Brody spoke of video games he loves to play, all of them in some form played on HALO. His eyes opened wide and at times he chuckled as he described the games.
He also took note of the houses and landscaping in the neighborhood we walked pointing out various features. He had remembered so much of what we talked about in prior walks in nearby neighborhoods and added commentary of his own.
But one house in particular grabbed his attention and we walked its exterior together. It was a two story Spanish Colonial built in recent years and it had pillars and small windows, balconies and other lovely features. But what most got Brody's attention were the big brown wooden double doors, which he thought were very attractive.
We then began the walk back.
Gannon's game had just finished when we returned from our walk and all the tiny players were on the field with their coaches as everyone shook hands, a blend of blue and red jerseys.
When Gannon got his goody bag, there were just enough bags for the players but he happily shared his bag with Brody.
These are very special times, in part because they allow Brody and me to bond. He is a precious and sensitive child and I'm getting to know who he is at this point in his life. His joy touches my heart, particularly his smile and his enthusiasm as he shares his stories with me, and I have the honor of making him the center of attention.
These times are priceless and I will remember them for the rest of my life.
Dick
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