Rachel's oldest child, Hayden, is playing baseball this year. Jeff is coaching. Rachel organizes and hauls every needful thing to the field. I have the luxury of sitting in my chair and watching. Grover shoots photographs. I hold the baby. It is perfect!
There's something so endearing about watching little boys and their fathers engaged in such a big sport. The boys know so little. The dads know so much. Somewhere in the middle is a huge wave of good will, and of waiting, and of expectations for next year when they actually know where to throw the ball, and have the coordination to hit the ball farther, and run faster. But for now, it is all good. The boys are learning to play baseball. The dads are learning to coach. It is a first experience for both of them.
The weather is great. The fresh air, the sunshine, the necessity of being outdoors every Saturday for a prescribed amount of time...it is all so familiar. After years and years of baseball, both with Grover playing, and Grover coaching have given it an aura of nostalgia that is lovely to perceive. We are lucky to enter a new era as grandparents of a player. And all we have to do is show up!
