Sweet sweaty night at the ballpark. No liquor or fried food touched these lips. That’s a first time experience for this girl. Springfield Cards crushed the Midland Rock Hounds, full house, lots of beautiful explosions, old friends and one incident that ruffled my feathers.
Maybe I’m overreacting, but while waiting in line for at the concession stand (had to get a snack for grandmother) the National Anthem began. Service stops, you turn and face the flag. Simple. I look around, because I hear harumphing. The young girl next to me, looks annoyed. Perhaps her feeding schedule has been interrupted? She whips out her cell phone and starts texting. Hey, it’s a free country, text on sister.
But I had to bite my tongue. Standing next to me was a member of our Greatest Generation. A military wife who moved coast to coast with four children in tow while her man was overseas.
After the game, this beautiful woman turned to me half-way through the fireworks display and asked, “I guess the ball game is over?”
Several years ago she told me that turning 80 was the worst. Everything is falling apart and it’s all been downhill. I can see it.
Grandmother, I salute you.
[…] Oh yes friends, I heard it! According to the sounds in the ‘hood high-school baseball practice has started. The first hit is the sweetest. Next, we wait for The National Anthem. […]