All American Moment

Tonight we went to see the Kane County Cougars play some minor league baseball with my sister and her family. The weather was perfect, the baseball was good, the hot dogs and beer (for those who were drinking) was plentiful, the ball park was full and energetic, and I couldn't have asked for better company. Looking around the stands at one point, I was struck by how many families were at the game enjoying the simple pleasures of a Friday night. You saw parents dancing to "YMCA" enjoying themselves, but no doubt enjoying most the delight on their kids' faces as they acted silly and carefree. You saw small children plenty old enough to walk, but instead being carried out of the stands silently sleeping peacefully in their grandparents' arms. You saw little girls flirting with the boys from their class sitting two sections over and older brothers taking their sisters to throw the ball without being embarrassed that their friends might see them. And I had the pleasure of seeing an almost three-year-old boy enjoying nothing more than sitting, watching the game he loves, sandwiched between a cousin he idolizes and a daddy he worships. As the game came to a close, you could hear a buzz of excitement in the air as the children learned that there would be fireworks after the game. My life with fireworks has been somewhat mixed. As a child, I didn't like them much. Frankly, the loud noise scared me, and although the flashing lights were neat, they were not neat enough to make the booming worthwhile. As a teenager, fireworks became the event to look forward to with your friends on the 4th of July. You'd bring a big blanket to the high school, walk around the big field next to the football stadium like you owned the place, dress to the 9s, and watch the fireworks with your friends, secretly hoping the boy you had a crush on would come sit next to you. Nothing, however, compares to sitting next to your child as he snuggles up to your side, sleepy, but completely enchanted with the lights sparkling overhead. It was Riley's first time at the fireworks, and it was my first time truly understanding what all the fuss and excitement is all about. It isn't about the lights themselves, it is about the look on a little boy's face as he stares in amazement at the wonder of the world around him and is perfectly content with nothing more than sharing that amazement and wonder with you.