To say that I'm psyched would be something of an understatement. I fly to Minneapolis this afternoon, and about 12-13 hours from now I'll be sitting in Section 129, Row 19, Seat 13 at the Metrodome to watch my beloved Twins play the Cleveland Indians. It has been 12 years since I've been to a Twins game in the Metrodome, and while I've never been a fan of the Metrodome, I do adore my Twins. I would never spend $40 on a ticket to a baseball game, unless it involves the Minnesota Twins. I'll be almost as close to the action as I was when I went to the Marlins-Brewers game here in Miami a couple weeks ago. I can't wait....
As I get older, I find myself more willing to acknowledge and reconnect with my past. I'm not certain why this seems to be happening now, but it does leave me with a greater peace of mind, and I imagine that's a good thing. The fact that my parents are getting older also factors into it. My father, though he is "only" 66, has been dealing with the effects of a stroke he suffered 12 years ago, and Mom also has her own health issues. Over the past couple of years, I've begun to realize that my parents aren't going to be around indefinitely...as if any of us will be. It could be 2 years, it could be 20, but I do know that I cannot afford to pass up any opportunity to spend some time with them.
One of the problems with me living in Texas and most of my family in Minnesota and Wisconsin is that seeing them is an infrequent occurrence at best. I last saw my parents two years ago, and while we speak on the phone now and then, it's not the same. Especially when you consider that Dad has a very difficult time speaking on a telephone for any length of time. I miss him, and I miss talking to him.
I'll only have a day or so with my family, but it's more than I would have had otherwise. I'm grateful to Susan for giving up a weekend that we could have spent together and suggesting that I visit my family instead. I'll have to think of a way to make it up to her....
Eight more days, darling....
