Opening day, 2014!

It’s here, it’s here! Baseball season is here! For me this means lots of running, lots of bleacher (or in most cases lawn chair) butt, and lots of juggling rides, but it is one of the Nelson family’s very favorite times of the year. There is hardly a car ride in the summer when the Twins are not playing on the radio, and back yard baseball is a common occurrence at our house.

It’s pretty common knowledge among people who know us that the tradition was for Jon to take the boys who are potty trained to the home season opener. This was the second year for me to carry on the tradition, and the first year all 5 of us were able to go. All of the boys were really excited! At first I wasn’t all that excited to go since the weather forecast was originally about 40 degrees and rain. In fact, Monday morning it POURED before we left. You may recall last year’s opener when the high was about 36 degrees! I wasn’t looking forward to another crappy day and admittedly I groaned when I heard the forecast. But it seems since I helped Mother Nature out with her little problem earlier this year, she did me a favor and let the sun come out for us! The day was beautiful!! In fact, there were times when it was even hot!

As we were walking in to the stadium we were stopped by people who were giving out signs that said Stand UP to cancer. On it you could write the name of someone you love who was affected by the damn disease. With things like this we usually do better if we know they are coming, but we had no idea it was stand up to cancer day when we got there. So, we were taken off guard. Since Jon was on the forefront of our minds already, we all cried. But the tears were short lived, and into the stadium we went. We all looked forward to the bottom of the 2nd when there would be a moment of silence for all the people mentioned on the signs. It was a powerful sight. As Zach said, it was pretty overwhelming to see all the people there who’s lives have been touched by the stupid disease. We are certainly not alone.

When we were in Boston, the day after Jon died we toured Fenway Park. A friend of mine set us up with a private tour, and since it was Zach’s birthday we decided to go. While we were walking around a pigeon came along and walked right along with us. Then, the next day we walked to a restaurant for dinner. Again, a pigeon was walking right along with all of us. While Jon was sick he always wore two bracelets, one for himself and one for my cousin Abby. When we got home from Boston there was a pigeon hanging out at the neighbors house, and on it’s leg was 2 bracelets. So, we started to think maybe Jon sent the pigeon to let us know he was still with us. Last summer Zach was playing baseball with a new team, and during a game I happened to look over at the dugout. Flying in a figure 8 right over where Zach was flew a flock of birds. For about 5 minutes they flew over the dugout, and then off they went. So yesterday the boys and I were talking about how we should watch for a bird, I bet dad would drop by to say hello. It was his favorite team and favorite past time after all! Sure enough, I happened to look up and lone behold a single large bird was flying around. We waved and said hi! 🙂

I cried a little on the drive up there, I know how much Jon would have wanted to be there with us. But I realized if we just take a minute to listen, to pay attention, he is there. It made my heart smile. I miss him terribly, but it was great to know he was there. Now if only the Twins could have pulled out a win!

Enjoying a beautiful day at the ballpark!

Standing up to cancer so one day we will kick it’s ass!

It’s a little hard to see, but all these people stood in memory or honor of someone affected by cancer during the moment of silence

The Twins players showing their support!

Tags: baseball, boys, grief, MN twins, opening day, parenting, Stand UP to Cancer