Life at Both Ends

It's been over a week since I visited the dugout here at the Ballpark.  I wanted to check in all week, but life just kept happening.  During the past month, I've experienced opposite poles on the emotion spectrum.

Two weeks ago, I thought my dad was passing from this life.  As I sat with him, tears dripping, I tried to envision what was he was seeing.  I prayed it was wispy angels, a soothing lullaby, Jesus whispering, "Welcome home."

To my surprise, Dad rallied and by the next morning, he was looking brighter.  Yesterday, he celebrated his 90th birthday, and is currently in rehab.

He likes to surprise us, my dad.  I have never known another soul with such enthusiasm for life.  The Superman shirt was a gift to Dad from my brother, the ex-clown.  No matter how debilitated Dad becomes, in his heart, he can still fly.   

A few days after that grief-filled night, a fresh baby arrived at the Ballpark.  Her parents were in town for the 90th birthday bash.  A great-grandfather and his great-grandchild - 90 years apart.  To see the wrinkled, Parkinsonian hand reach for tiny, chubby toes....so beautiful.   

There is nothing more popular than a fresh-from-heaven baby. 

Holding this child was a balm to my weary heart.  She was as warm as fresh bread from the oven.  I loved curling her fingers around mine and sniffing her soft little head.  She was so new and untarnished by life.  So willing to just be held and smooched on.  It's refreshing and soothing and healing to hold new life.

The company has returned home now, and my focus is back on my super hero dad, who has chronic health issues, but is currently stable.

Author T.D. Jakes said that life is the great equalizer.  We all start out with supple skin, toothless grins, and great potential.   We grow to be strong, independent, and productive (hopefully.)  Eventually, we become weathered and disabled and forgetful.  Unless we die young, we will progress though every phase.  It's the human journey.

I will probably never again see two lives, 90 years apart, in the same room.  Hug them both, kiss them both, pray over them and with them.  It was wonderful to be standing in the middle and savor the experience.

We took hundreds of pictures, so we will never forget.

Both subjects are a bit blurry because they never stop moving.