Diamonds: A Dad’s Best Friend
June 1, 2019 | by rebecca stewart
No, you didn’t read that title wrong. Today, I’d like to pitch this thought your way, that diamonds just might indeed be a dad’s best friend. Hear me out…
Growing up, there was rarely a Father’s Day that wasn’t spent on a baseball or softball diamond. A day (weekend) spent under the blistering hot sun, or, alternately, being drizzled on by the rain – I swear, there is no happy medium - probably some dirt blowing in your face, and as an added bonus, the day probably started all kinds of early. For a day that one could reasonably expect to be all about relaxing and maybe at least somewhat doted upon, it kind of loses that “All About Dad” vibe in the face of all that. (And listen, I know what you’re thinking right about now, “Pssh, poor dads, not getting a relaxing dad-centric day, welcome to a mother's world!" But it's not us vs. them, remember)?
Even under those aforementioned less-than-perfect conditions, you would be hard-pressed to find a dad lining the sidelines of those diamonds wishing he were anywhere else. He's thrilled to have passed on a love of this particular game. He loves watching his kids play the game. As he watches his girl stride confidently up to the plate, in his mind's eye, he still sees that little girl awkwardly gripping that Barbie bat he first bought her. With each wind-up, he recalls every hour spent crouching on aching knees in the front yard being a willing catcher to his son. His body tenses as she prepares to make a break for home plate, remembering all those rounds of Pickle played – would you look at that slide?!
It's pride. It's love. It's every moment spent on the diamond, in the bleachers, at the court or track or field. It's remembering the times when he was doing the nudging, waiting for that self-motivating drive to be better to kick in - all the times he encouraged the kids to get outside and play a little catch, get a game going, head to the batting cages. It's seeing every moment that led to this field where this season she's found her confidence; who knew this ballplayer was waiting to emerge? He did. He knew, and he was eager to tell anyone who cared to listen (and probably more than a few who didn't) how spectacular his kids are.
And you know what's most incredible? One day this dad is going to be Grandpa, and you know what? That diamond is still his best friend, and there's no place he'd rather be.
Originally printed in the June 2019 issue of Simply Family Magazine
Never miss an issue, check out SFM's digital editions here!
