SUNDAY TALKING...

 This Sunday morning I drove to town to pick up my grocery order. It would be ready at 10:00 a.m. Frankie got a special treat because she had to stay at home alone.  It has been difficult for her since her sister Slim died.  She was given a special treat and told the words always repeated by me..."You're in charge.  Be good. I'll be back."

It was to be an amazing drive.  The weather is beautiful and sunny.  The grass has turned green everywhere and cows are packed in all the fields with their new calves.  Soon the calves will be big enough to play.  I love to see them chase each other and jump and run.  It is difficult to think of their outcome in the future.

Before I got to the big town for my groceries I had to pass through our little local town. There were barely any cars at the Baptist and Methodist churches.  The Assembly of God church had a full parking lot.  The little church in the wildwood that was outside the town had a few cars. I remember growing up when all the church parking lots were filled to capacity and poured over into other local parking lots.

Entering the outskirts of the bigger town I was amazed at the crowd.  Cars were everywhere.  It was not near a church.  It was near the fairgrounds and a crowd was gathered for the kids baseball game.  The little stadium was filled too.  I drove by almost at a standstill.  "Why" you ask.  I will tell you.

My son played baseball and everyone would gather across from Riverside Drive in Tulsa, Oklahoma for their practices and most of their games. Riverside Drive was a busy city street and our field was located near the entrance and exits to the interstate highway so the traffic was thick. I have never forgotten the afternoon a small child escaped from his mother who was watching her older child play ball.  I saw this little tyke heading straight ahead to run across Riverside Drive. Everyone yelled but the child was already in the road running fast after his ball.  It was like the parting of the waters for Moses.  The road was clear as he ran safely to the other side.  Turned around holding his re-claimed ball, smiling at all of us.  His father brought him back. I will never forget standing in total shock. There you have the reason I drive very slowly near kids ballgames. 

My arrival home with my groceries found Frankie awaiting my return and sniffing each sack for another treat.