Take me out to the ball game

This weekend has been a really fun one. Simon managed to get a ride home so we got to celebrate his birthday with him. Nineteen - wow! They grow up so fast... To celebrate, Dad made his infamous (that means they're not just famous, they're MORE than famous!) eggs with all the fixin's and we had a lovely brunch. Then we took a very leisurely afternoon (the first in a very long time) and when dinner time came around we had Mom's huge hoagie. After that it was off to Chase Stadium to watch the Diamondbacks beat the Rockies in a great game. We agreed that it was a throughouly American evening and a great way to celebrate Simon's big day.

On a related note, today is Jackie Robinson Day. Everytime we go to the ballpark I make sure that I look at his number hanging over the field to pay him respect. I am incredibly grateful to him, not because I am a sports person, but because he helped to open so many doors for everyone. The anniversary of his first Major League game is not just a milestone for baseball, but for all sports and, as a result, for our society. I often wonder who we have missed out throughout the centuries because of racism, sexism, and other forms of injustice. I try to imagine where we would be if everyone had been given the same opportunity to education and creative outlets. Where would we be in the fields of science, medicine, and the arts if everyone could have had a crack at them? It is a tragedy and a blight on the human race. On the other hand, I am grateful that - though things are far from being perfect - things are getting better. Recent events have shown that people are less tolerant of racism even in jest. Of course, we still have a long way to go, but at least we now realize that. Thank you, Jackie Robinson, for showing us that dignity and grace can be found in every size, shape, and color.