05.18.07
Gifts from Grandpa
We were very happy to have beautiful weather nearly the entire time we spent in Iowa visiting my dad. The kids were able to play outside all the time, and it was good for them to just run around and be kids.
One evening, my dad surprised Lance with a little present. He had noticed Lance taking an interest in baseball. My sister had just joined a softball team, and spent some time in the backyard practicing. Lance was somehow hooked. The kids haven’t been exposed to baseball very much – it just isn’t popular in Italy.
My dad called Lance over and placed his very old, very worn baseball glove in his hands. Lance’s eyes were huge, and the only thing he could say was a sheepish, “Thanks” and a big hug. He ran outside to go try it out.
Throughout the next few days, my dad found an old baseball bat and baseball for them to play with. He learned to toss the ball up in the air and practice hitting. And he got really good! Since we’ve been back in Rockford there hasn’t been a day where he hasn’t gone outside to practice – and so far no broken windows!
I guess it’s time to find a baseball team in Ancona.