Friday Nights

Dear Baseball Encyclopedia (that’s my Daddy Diary Book)-

Friday Night is my favorite night of the week. My wife and I accompany our two children to the local restaurant chain for a nice quiet dinner for four. Heads up, our 1-year old future Hall of Famer just chucked a roll across the table.

And now, my daughter has a question: “Mommy, Daddy was watching a movie last night where a boy was running naked down the street. Daddy said he was streaking. Mommy, what is streaking?” My wife glares at me. The old woman sitting at the table adjacent gives me a menacing look as well. My son smiles as he reaches back to throw the butter now. Well, I guess that was the logical next item to toss. “Honey, it was Old School. I couldn’t turn it off. It was the good part. Thanks Delaney. I told you not to tell.” My plea gets yet another scowl from my wife. I shrug. My daughter is only 3. I didn’t think she was watching.

Welcome to Friday Nights when you’re a Daddy. You know what? I wouldn’t go back to the Old School days if you paid me. Well, maybe once in a while wouldn’t be so bad, especially if you paid me.

And, as soon as I have a thought like this, up walks the man that approached me this past Friday. The following dialogue is 100% true.

Man: I have a grandson that’s about his age. How old is he?

Me: Cooper’s one. His right arm is 18, but we won’t let him throw curveballs yet. But, the rest of him is 20 months old.

Man: I’m driving out to San Diego next week to see my grandson. He’s about the same age. I’m very excited. How far is it to San Diego ?

Me: By car? You can do it in 2 days if you don’t sleep. Of course, you may want to sleep some. I drove it once in college with a buddy. We stopped in Oklahoma City , drank a couple of pitchers of beer and bunked in Morie’s Motel for the night. The next night, we stopped in Phoenix where we went to a night club, and slept in my car before heading west. Oh, sorry, I watched this movie the other night that has me reminiscing. Anyway, take your time, enjoy the drive. You can do it in 3 days.

Man: I really enjoy retirement. Um, sir, your son has potatoes in his hair.

Me: Oh, it’s bath night. He likes doing that because potatoes feel like soap.

Man: Oh, okay, well, your daughter has two straws up her nose.

Me: She’s trying to make herself sneeze. It makes her laugh when people sneeze. So, can I come with you to California ?

Man: Oh, you don’t want to do that. See, I’m retired, and I have all the time in the world.

Me: No, really, Can I come with you? The retirement thing sounds good.

Man: Son, don’t wish your life away. You’ll wake up one day and wonder where it all went.

I stared at Cooper smearing jelly on his belly button. Delaney was making a tower out of fries. I turned around to wish the man a nice trip. He was already gone. Point made.

I can’t wait till next Friday.

(This post is reprinted as it did not transfer on its own from the previous site)