Tour of Hope Day #10
Sponsored in part by
Baseball Seams Co.
This whole catch-playing “quest” started because of a conversation with my daughters that lasted the first few days of the year. I could never have imagined then what has taken place over this last week-plus.
In the last ten days we’ve driven all over six states and, by the time we reach home, close to 2,000 miles. Thank you All-Pro Automotive for helping the Bryan family Millennium Falcon run its best.
From record-high triple-digit temperatures in Omaha to windy 50s in Chicago, we had a thoroughly Midwestern adventure. We spent time with family and made new friends and saw both wonders of nature and human creativity.
We tried our best to extend hope and kindness wherever we went and saw it reflected back to us from complete strangers.
From the pastry chef who gave me free macarons. (The purple ones were perfection.)
From the animal trainers at the Lincoln Park Zoo who answered all of Sophie’s questions.
From the friends who provided us with beds and meals and hot showers.
From the children who laughed and played and welcomed us into their homes.
From the bus driver and passengers who helped us find our way through downtown Chicago.
From the porter who told us stories of his family’s survival and recovery in Puerto Rico.
And, of course, from everyone we met through games of catch.
There is a new baseball team in Chicago — the Chicago Dogs. They’re part of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball and will play teams like the Kansas City T-Bones, Sioux Falls Canaries, and Winnipeg Goldeyes. As we headed homeward, we stopped at the new Impact Field in Rosemont and stepped out on centerfield to play catch before the teams started warming up.
I bet I’m the first Chicago Dogs fan in Springfield, Missouri.
We did not find Moonlight Graham on our trip, but I know he would have felt at home on Ryan’s field.
I didn’t get to see the Royals play at Kauffman Stadium, but saw former and future Royals play in Omaha after Caleb’s first pitch.
And there was nothing but smiles spending time with Mary the baseball player and movie star at Beyer Stadium.
Leaving Chicago the girls watched Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, a fantastic movie of whimsy that perfectly describes this year.
As Mr. Magorium said,“Your life is an occasion. Rise to it.”
