Cecilia Angel

It started last Friday; a successful "Open House" at Ceci's new school.
The joy continued on Saturday; an early birthday celebration poolside.
Cecilia was in her element, the center of attention.

She remained the center of attention on Sunday, but for all the wrong reasons.
The agony of the porcelain bus,  first day of school postponed; are
birthday celebrations in jeopardy?

Monday finds Ceci listlessly sprawled on her couch instead of enthusiastically
rockin' her class room desk; instead of charming her new classmates, teachers.
Alas, and thanks be to God, I did not witness her doubled over in pain, when
the decision was made to take Ceci to the Emergency room.
Ceci and her Cecilia Angel doll.

When Cecilia was born, my  sister Fran gave her an angel doll named Cecilia.
Nice.
My sister, Marion gave her a night light that illuminates the fact the all you need
is Love.     Yeah...........nice.

I revert, briefly, to my rap roots:
Birthday, first school day; what more can excite us?
Let's give a 5 year old appendicitis!

Ceci, on her 5th birthday, had an appendectomy.
What did you get for your 5th birthday??

Ceci, with her strength bolstered by her angel, and with the love and caring of an
incredible hospital staff, had an adventure that I can only describe as amazing.
Somehow, Ceci had a happy birthday.
In the hospital.
As a patient.
Going thru surgery.
She's an amazing kid.

She loves her Cecilia Angel.
And I love mine.
And, yes, love is all you need.

Brotherly Love

The summer fields have been paved with glory for Miles.  
Champs of tournaments, regionals; a World Series participant!
Unfortunately, Landon's path was littered with bumps and slumps.  No regional invitation.  
He says he doesn't care, but a raw, candid moment suggests otherwise.
During the State tournament, Landon is up, late in the game, with the tying runs aboard.  He battles; fouling off numerous pitches.  Then, he connects; a line shot towards first!
The sudden transfer of heroics, from the batter, to the behemoth who made a leaping catch, 
 is too much for Landon, and too much for me.  My grandson is a puddle of tears. 
 My lower lip quivers.

Landon gets over it. Eventually, I do too.


I never had a brother, but, for 6 months of the year, I've got a ringside seat of the action.
It's not always pretty.  Truth be told, it rarely is.  The turf battle is constant.  On the surface, the turf in demand is usually Playstation, but I am reminded of the "Smothers Brothers:"  Mom always liked you best.
Seldom is the rhetoric particularly clever:
"You're stupid,"
No, you're stupid."
"Ouch!"
"MOM!"

A day in the life.

Still, there are moments of brotherly love; one such occurred this week, when Landon
stepped above the fray.  I suspect the low road was enticing; he could have complained 
about the attention his brother was getting, the time away from home. 
 He did not complain.
Apparently, he has amazing vision.  He saw the big picture.  Perhaps a once in a lifetime opportunity for his big bro. Landon responded by doing what he does best.

His philanthropic efforts are legendary; if you don't believe me, just  ask the 
New Milford Soup Kitchen.
This week, he pointed his efforts to raising funds for his brother's Little League team,
to offset the unexpected expenses of competing in the World Series.

I pause.  My lower lip quivers as I reflect on how Landon has his brother's back.

I was not here, so I do not know how much effort was required to make Landon's 
lemonade stand a success.  I suspect most of the success was based on his 
reputation and the generosity of New Milford; especially the baseball community.
Thank you.

Landon raised over $500.  That's a lot of lemonade.

Not only did Landon take the high road; he is also on the fast track to
maturity and success.

He gets it.  The boy is a hero; the boy is a champion.
The boy makes me proud.

The Regionals

From long distance, we get the headlines and a few details.  A series of victories on the field, some unacceptable behavior off the field.  Any practical or logistical arguments for not going to 
the championships game are overridden by our concerns for
Miles, his mother, and perhaps especially, his brother.
(I have a passion for baseball and my grandchildren; that's why I often write about Mile's exploits.  But if everything was right in the world, I would be writing gospels about Landon.  He is a good, good boy.)
We arrived a little less than 2 hours before game time.
Amen, amen; Miles is cool, calm, and collected. Confident and cheerful!
Landon is joyfully playing in the pool with his cousins. Julie is taking a nap.  It's all good.

Game time arrives.  Go Pride! One and done; send us home early and happy.  Hits, gifts, walks; we find ourselves up, 8-2, after 3 innings. Looking good.
But...........apparently some leads are meant to be squandered.   
We find ourselves tied at 9 in the middle of the fifth.   
No worries; we've got the top of the order coming up.
Alas, we go down one, two, three.  Hmm.
The top of the sixth is not without fidgeting and nail biting, but we escape.  Still tied as we enter the bottom of the inning.

Miles leads off with a single up the middle.  "The Thrill" follows with a resounding double to left center. A cautious Miles and a patient coach holds the runner at third.
"Sprinkles" walks.  The bases are loaded; no outs.
Brayden puts the ball in play, but the defense holds and they get the force at home. Still tied.
Cole is up.  Scratching and clawing, he battles and singles to right. Run scores!  We win, Regional Champions!  Ball game over.

But the story has just begun.


Except, I can't write it.

I can't describe the spontaneous, infectious, shameless, brazen, emotional euphoria that I witnessed and experienced. It overwhelmed and consumed us all; on and off the field.
It must have been love.  For the game and for each other
I can"t explain it.  You had to be there.
And I was.
A once in a lifetime moment.

Or was it?
World Series is next, and..........who knows?
Why not us?
Go Pride!

JOY

An epic battle on the far field in Bethel last night

Too many walks,  missed opportunities, offset by gutsty, inspiring performances.

Tournament championship game; we're tied at the end of 5.

Top of the inning, our shortstop, the rock, and rock star of the team, makes a rare and unfortunate error.

Don't worry, kid, we've all been there.

We are down by 1.

Bottom of the last inning, our lead off batter is out.  Our shortstop is up next.

Baseball is a game of redemption.  Unfortunately, it is also a humbling game.

Our shortstop flies out.

Down to our last out, our 3 hitter hits a routine ground ball to the second baseman.

He bobbles it; our guy is safe at first!  Second baseman kicks the dirt in despair.

Don't worry, kid, we've all been there.

My Grandson comes to the plate.   I have hopes and dreams. I have fear and trepidation.

Balls, strikes, fouls; the count is full as he takes a borderline pitch, just a little outside.

I can't look.

I can't not look.

Down to our last strike, Miles drive the ball to his favorite part of the field; right center

It splits the defenders, rolls to the fence; the game is tied!

Standing on second, Miles is roaring!

I am roaring!  His joy is my joy.

Enjoy the moment son; I have never been there.

Moments later, his Brutha from anotha Mutha drives him in with the winning run.

Smiling faces?  How 'bout beaming faces!  Beaming with joy.  Beaming with Pride.

Quite a night on that far field in Bethel last night.