This was one of those “merry-go-round” spring days—the sun
was warm, the clouds came and went, the wind was light but cool and
refreshing—and everything was up and down, high and low, and bittersweet.
We had a fairly easy early morning before going to watch our
older grandson play baseball. Watching
six-year-olds learning America’s game is always so fascinating. One minute they’re chasing butterflies at
short stop, and the next they’re hitting a liner into the outfield and racing
for first or picking up a hot grounder down the third baseline and throwing the
runner out. In our chairs in the
outfield we applauded them all and knew we were getting sunburned as we huddled
in our light jackets against the north wind.
We are so proud of our son who is helping coach his son and his friends
and our grandson who is having so much fun.
In the middle of the second inning
something seemed to be scratching the back of my chair, but I couldn’t place
the sound. I turned around to my right
to look at the dad and his son who were practicing behind us, but they were
just playing catch. I turned to my left
and realized that there was a bird perched on the back of my chair! I stood up and took a better look. Yes, it was still there! With a closer look, I realized it was an
immature black-capped chickadee. It sat
there long enough to make sure my younger grandson got a look and I could take
a couple of pictures before it decided it needed to exercise its wings again
and took off. Mom and Dad chickadee were
nowhere around. I guess they’d done
their coaching and the youngster was flying solo.
As soon as the baseball game was over, I headed home to grab
a quick bite of lunch and change clothes before heading to school for the 2012
Commencement exercises. The faculty
gathered and chatted about the end of another school year while trying to
remember just how the hoods were to be arranged over their robes. The graduates assembled, flocking like
blackbirds, moving in small group choreographies before being directed to their
separate flocks to line up for the ceremony.
Short speeches. Lists
of names. Thank you. Best of luck.
Commence.
Some were excited to be escaping their four-year-old nest of
disappointment and relative failure.
Others were vacillating between laughter and tears. Up and down. Around and around.
I’ve been here before, going on as well as remaining. It’s always interesting to see them taking
off…testing their wings…sometimes looking back for Mom and Dad as they decide
which pony to ride…look for the ring.
Around and around it goes.
Up and down. Another summer is
coming.
