This could be our year
5 April 2010
First, don’t forget to read Friday’s post. Sarah Sundin was sweet enough to stop by for an interview, and she’s giving away a signed copy of her fabulous book, A Distant Melody to one lucky commenter.
Today is the Royals’ home opener, and I somehow wound up with a ticket. (I have a very nice brother-in-law. And he has very nice friends. It’s working out well for me.)
This is the second time I’ve been to opening day. The last time was 6 years ago, and it was one of those incredible, against-all-odds kind of wins that seemed extra special at the start of the season. Made you think, “This could be our year.” (It was not. For those who don’t know, it hasn’t been “our year” since the early 80’s.)
I remember very clearly the first time I ever cared about the Royals’ home opener. It was 5th grade, and a school day. My parents had flat out said, “No, we’re not going to the game,” but I had myself half-convinced that they were just saying that so they could surprise me. After all, that’s what would happen in a book, right?
Well, I wasn’t going to be unprepared. I went to school that day in my Royals’ shirt, earrings, and hairbow. I kept my eye on the clock all morning long, and only gave up on being bailed out of school when I knew the opening pitch had been thrown.
While I no longer have my hairbow or earrings (they probably got discarded during the sad days of the baseball strike), and my Royals’ shirt doesn’t fit terribly well these days, I’m still very excited to go. Partially because I’ll be spending time with people I love and enjoy, partially because Zack Greinke will be pitching and I’ve never watched a Cy Young winner pitch, but mostly because I love the optimism that fills Kauffman Stadium on that first day. When everyone feels like, “This could be the year.”
Hope you all had a wonderful Easter. See you back here on Wednesday.
You don’t have the hair-bow or earrings anymore? And you call yourself a fan?? ;-)
Posted by Roseanna White on 5 April 2010