Christmas 2019

Christmas with Family

I haven't written in quite sometime. But as we hurl headlong into another Christmas season I want to hope for you and your family a wonderful season. Spend time with your family. If you can't, give them a call of even do that "face time" thing. Life is unpredictable. You don't know what 2020 will bring. I want to believe it will be filled with wondrous and joyous events, like my 11 year old grandson getting a grand slam! But one never knows.

Boy and his bat — Will this be the year he hits a grand slam?

Heroes

While I love baseball and all that the game entails, it palls in significance to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. We just passed another December 7 and this one was the 68th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. As I have mentioned in previous posts, my dad was a Pearl Harbor survivor aboard the USS Tennessee, right in front of the USS Arizona. Christmas time always gives me pause to reflect. So to all the brave men and women scattered all over the globe, doing their job and protecting us here at home, I say thank you. You are the true heroes.

USS Tennessee and USS Arizona — USS Arizona

Together at last

So while you're opening the presents and eating to your fill, give those grand kids an extra hug. Everyone put down your electronic devices and look at each other and even talk. It could be actually fun. At Thanksgiving, my wife has adopted a tradition that she got from her mother. She puts three pieces of candy corn on the side of each plate of food. Before you can go back for seconds, you have to be thankful for three things. Try it you might like it.

Merry Christmas

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. May you hits be solid, your catches be clean, and your throws be accurate! And remember as of today, December 11, 2019, it is only 62 days until spring training. Go Mariners! Come on, hope springs eternal. I'm an optimist at heart.