Family +1

 

Home Plate

Dear journal,

 
Today, while mowing the lawn, I had an epiphany that transformed how I view a stone on the path from the street to my front door. For years, I’ve walked over this stone without much thought, but today it struck me as a symbol of home plate in baseball. This realization sparked a reflection on how stepping up to this stone mirrors stepping up to the plate in life, where each day begins with taking action and embracing new challenges.

In baseball, stepping up to the plate is the beginning of an opportunity. It’s the moment when all your preparation, practice, and determination come into play. Similarly, each day we face new challenges and opportunities that require us to step up, take action, and do our best. But just like in baseball, our journey doesn’t end when we make that initial swing.

"Baseball is like driving, it's the one who gets home safely that counts," Tommy Lasorda once said. This quote resonated with me deeply as I thought about my own life. Just as in baseball, getting home safely is what truly matters. It’s not always about hitting a home run, but about making steady progress and relying on others to help us along the way.

Life, like baseball, is full of unexpected twists and turns. We face obstacles, setbacks, and challenges that we must navigate. Some days, it feels like we’re just fouling off pitch after pitch, struggling to find our rhythm. But persistence and resilience are key. Rick Maksian’s words, "Life will always throw you curves, just keep fouling them off. The right pitch will come, but when it does, be prepared to run the bases," remind me to stay hopeful and ready for the right opportunities. When they come, I must be prepared to seize them and run the bases.

Jackie Robinson once said, "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." This quote echoes the importance of teamwork in baseball and life. Just as in baseball, we don’t achieve our goals alone. We rely on the support, encouragement, and assistance of others. Our family and friends cheer us on, offer advice, and pick us up when we stumble. Coworkers collaborate with us, share insights, and help us achieve professional success. Sometimes, even strangers play a role, offering a helping hand or a kind word when we least expect it. Together, they help us advance around the bases and ultimately bring us home.

Reflecting on the simple stone in my path has made me appreciate the journey of life even more. It reminds me that every day is a new game, a new opportunity to step up to the plate. While the challenges are mine to face, I am never alone. I have a team that supports me, believes in me, and helps me achieve my goals.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat," Roger Kahn said. It’s not just the victories that define us but how we handle the defeats. The bonds we form, the resilience we build, and the lessons we learn from our losses make us stronger and more appreciative of the wins. Life, like baseball, is a series of games, some we win, some we lose, but each one shapes us and adds to our journey.

So, every day as I step on that stone, I’ll remind myself that I’m stepping up to the plate. I’ll face the challenges head-on, knowing that I have a team behind me, helping me advance, and bringing me back home. And in the end, it’s not just about the runs scored, but the connections made, the lessons learned, and the journey taken.

Go Royals,

Dave

I love this little guy.

 

Time to Explore

 

Date Night

 

Thumb Sucker

 

Time for Flowers

 

Ghetto Tacos

Quesabirria Tacos

First Encounter

Cricket learns the truth. 

I am smol.

Luna Moth "Louie" Armstrong

Dear journal,

In the quiet of the night on Friday, July 12, a night marked by the moon’s apogee, I returned home from an amazing road trip to an unexpected surprise. Upon arriving, I heard faint cries through the return air vent and, following the sound, found three tiny, helpless kittens in my crawlspace. They were all so small, about two weeks old, and in need of care and love. In fact, I knew they were my porch cat, Katydid's, kittens.

I didn't know what to do, so I called in the cavalry. However, I knew Katy would want her babies back. One was too sick and, sadly, didn’t make it through the night. I placed the other two in a basket on the porch, and Katy came and got the strongest but left the other one behind. After waiting, I decided to take him in.

Now that he has been here for almost a week, we are headed to the vet for a check-up, and it's time to give him a name. Not long ago, I came home one night to find a beautiful Luna Moth resting on my hibiscus. Its delicate and beautiful presence left a lasting impression on my heart.

Naming this little kitten Luna Moth, or Louie for short, felt like the perfect tribute to the timing and significance of these events. Just as the Luna Moth symbolizes new beginnings and transformation, this kitten has brought a sense of renewal into my life. Taking care of Louie has filled a hole I didn’t fully realize was there, offering me peace and a reassuring sense that, while I may never be a father, I have the capacity to nurture and love deeply.

As Louie adjusts to his new home, my other two cats, Cricket and Hopper, have been exceptionally curious about their new sibling. Their whiskers twitch with curiosity as they try to sneak peeks at Louie through the door of his quarantine room. Cricket, with her poised and observant nature, and Hopper, with her playful and energetic demeanor, both seem eager to meet the newest member of our family.

Louie’s arrival has brought both joy and companionship, reminding me of the unexpected gifts life can offer. As he grows and eventually joins Cricket and Hopper, I look forward to seeing the dynamic between them unfold. His presence has already added a sense of fulfillment to my life, and I’m grateful for the new experiences and memories we’ll create together.

Welcome home, little Louie Armstrong,

Dave

We eat every 2 hours.

 

You're hiding something.

 

Hopper remains indifferent. 

Cleaned up and eating