Your 2026 Birthday

This year your birthday was on a Sunday. The day started out rainy, so I couldn’t put the flag out on the porch as we have done since your first “Flag Day” birthday. But, by the time we came home from church, the rain had stopped. So, we put out the flag and headed out to Lisle, to Benedictine University where your EPAA Little League all-star team played a weekend tournament.

As soon as we got out of the car, it triggered a memory that we had brought grandpa and grandma with us on the second day, Saturday. I’m pretty sure you and other teammates had gone earlier with one of the coaches. What we collectively couldn’t remember was who played in the tournament or who won. But, I know we were excited with you that you had the opportunity to play at such a notable venue. And too, we were proud that you were such a valuable player, on the mound, catching, first and third base and especially hitting home runs. But most commendably, you brought your whole self to everything you did, whether playing baseball, working out or starting a new job.

Because it was windy and cold we didn’t stay long at Benedictine, but we did notice that the field where you played had been converted to a softball field.

When we left, we drove down Maple Avenue back through Downers Grove to a great barbecue place in Westmont called Uncle Bub’s. You would have loved it. We shared a combo meal of pork and chicken, then topped it off with a piece of chocolate cake. Mom couldn’t help but sing a quiet “Happy Birthday “ to you.

On our way back, we stopped at Resurrection Cemetery to visit Grandma’s and Grandpa’s grave, then made our way to Chapel Hill to change up the decorations on your grave for your birthday. Fortunately, the clouds had cleared and it had gotten much more pleasant. So, we pulled our “baseball chairs “ from the back of the car and made the most of the opportunity.

Loving you when you are not with us is certainly sad. But to not love you is not an option.