Dear Mom,
How I want to call to tell you tales of my latest Phillies adventures, describing the the red and white costumed subway riders, the people who were my partners in sport. and to give you a play by play by play by play of this afternoon's 3rd game with the Boston Red Sox.
You aren't on the other end of the phone to be totally bemused by my new found passion, sprung loose like the cork on a champagne bottle within the last year. How amazed you were when I would call from the ballpark gushing with glee after a home run, or a grand slam, a no hitter, or during what would be a 19 inning game.
I knew that I could call because you always loved to be part of whatever your children, and your grandchildren and friends of your family were up to. Whether it was attending concerts of Indonesian puppetry and dance that you enjoyed through your eldest son Marc; displaying children's books written by your middle son Eric; getting involved in any number of projects of mine from dance concerts to ice skating exhibitions to Dales' birthday parties, you were there. Your love of theater, from Kennedy Center to your granddaughter's middle school and high school productions is legendary, but you also attended elementary school children's soccer games,championship gymnastic, swimming and diving meets. Never grudgingly. You truly loved it.
You aren't on the phone for me to describe how it felt to ride the express train to the ballpark with fathers, daughters, sons, groups of coworkers, old and young, many in Phillies garb. I couldn't call you on this 85 degree afternoon in the sun, yet another perfect day for a ball game, to tell you that sitting in the ballpark in outer left field with 40,000 fans was exactly where I wanted to be, needed to be today. It is always a privilege, a delight, an exquisite ride of ups and downs, rallies and exaltation being at a baseball game.
You aren't here for me to tell you that being with you as much as possible for the past 7 months was also exactly where I wanted to be, needed to be . It was always a privilege, a delight, an exquisite ride of ups and downs, rallies and exaltations being your daughter.
In fact, it was the best game in town and I was thrilled to be right behind home plate with all of us cheering you on.
________________________
P.S. We lost today 5-2. Oh well, it's only June, the Phillies are still #1 in both Leagues and unlike missing you, it's just a game.
