Tunnel of Love

Jay and Chris had been staying with us for the last few days and its been like a pajama party every night. We stay up late and laugh, imbibing and stuffing our pie holes along the way. It’s four adolescents in adult bodies. We’re going to pay dearly for the decadence of caloric intake. But then again, that seems to be the normal course when the four of us get together. Every encounter is a party. But it usually ends by midnight as our ages are not conducive to wee hour soirees anymore. We’re not well equipped sleeping wise so I purchased a great inflatable mattress for myself while Robin took up the couch in the living room. As our guests, we demanded that Jay and Chris take up residence in our bedroom. We wouldn’t be a bother to them when we left for work in the morning by having to step over them. We had a three day run at the ball yard so they decided to trek north to take in Sedona and the Grand Canyon. Our days at work at intermittent, just as the regular season is. A few days in a row and then an off day here and there while the Angels are on the road. And then back again to do this all over. I may be making is sound redundant and boring here, but thats just my lack of writing skills. I love this job and Robin is enjoying her’s as well. Sure, the days are long but  envision this. Everyday I get to meet and chat with new people. I’m deeply involved with the food service industry which I absolutely love. I get to watch Major League Baseball. I can get as physically involved in the daily work or none at all if I so choose. I choose the former as it gives me a sense of everyone’s job and also burns a few extra calories. The weather is sublime. The aesthetics of the ballpark are second to none. And the photographers which I can bother with my bevy of questions is a dream come true. And every once in a while I come across a photo such as this one. A dad and his son, the youngster tired and bored beyond recognition. The child won’t remember this day for some time. But in later years when reflecting back on the role modeling of his father, he will smile with these memories. It reminded me of some fifty years ago, a child of eight, was taken to old Forbes Field by my own father. We sat behind the right field fence as I watched the amazing Roberto Clemente make his signature basket catches. As this vision comes to my mind’s eye, I think how I would give anything to have my father here so I could now take him to a game. And as an unexpected rain came and delayed the game for a few minutes, I decided to see if I could sneak down into the clubhouse and visit personally with the Angels. Who in the hell am I? Why did I think I could do this and get away with it? What bold and insane move? Well I conned the elevator attendant into allowing me to go down. I told her I was scheduled to deliver some post game goodies while commenting on her new hairdo and that seem to do it.

The elevator doors opened and there I was. On the bottom floor of the stadium looking at a door that read “Angels Locker Room”. I’ve made it. I was actually going inside a major league dressing room. I grabbed the door handle and slowly turned it. For some reason, I thought my calculated craftiness would triumph. As I opened the door, my eyes met the neck of a large and tall security guard. At my own 6’1″ this man dwarfed me and then I realized how much size makes a difference in America. I was a bit intimidated. He asked what I was doing and when I responded, he gently took my arm and led me down the hallway. My disappointment only lasted a few seconds as I saw we were sidling out to the entrance tunnel to the field. Once there he said, “now be on your way”. I walked through the tunnel, just like any pro would, out onto the field. And as I sauntered across the grass, crossing the first base line, stepping on home plate I took in the moment. There I was, alone on the field with the stands dotted with patrons braving the rain. Kevin Costner has nothing on me. I had this “Field of Dreams” all to myself. At fifty-eight, I was a child all over again. This is a bucket list item never expected.