| | Last Friday I went to the Braves game with my dad, my first brother and his first son, my uncle and his son - six of us total ranging in age from about 4 to 73. I'd been wanting to do this outing with the men in my family here in Atlanta for a while, particularly to take my dad and his brother to a game. They're 20 years apart in age, the oldest and youngest in their family with eight children. Because their father died at an early age, my dad became the austere father figure of the family and wasn't much fun for my uncle to hang around. But my uncle did an excellent job of explaining the more subtle nuances of the game to my father, like the fact that John Smoltz had a no-hitter through seven innings and that Chipper Jones was a triple short of hitting for the cycle. Just being there with my dad was good; it was the first time we'd ever been to a Braves game together. We ate cotton candy together, enjoyed the game, persevered through the post-game fireworks, and all went to The Varsity afterwards. Awesome! So much better than watching the game at home and seeing my dad yell at the TV! It was funny when they started winning and he said it was because he was at the game. (Funny because we've all thought similar thoughts about our own power to affect the outcomes of games.) Here's a pic with me, my pops, my brother and his son.
Yes, I have my father's eyebrows. And his big head. My second brother was missing (he's on the West Coast). As my dad gets older, it's harder for him to enjoy adventures like this. I have to appreciate the time we have. Too many moments in my younger years were spent blinded by my youthful angst and pride; I didn't love my dad very much back then. God has graciously allowed me to grow to know him, serve him, and enjoy him much better these past six years that I've been back in Atlanta. Thank you, God.
(And thanks to my wife for letting me go and celebrate my birthday without her, at least for this part of the celebration. Maybe next year I can bring our son, too!)
|
| | Posted 9/10/2007 12:26 PM - 34 Views - 14 eProps - 8 comments
- recommend
  - recs0
- share
- email
 - sent0
|
