PLAY BALL! June 3, 2009

We moved to our current house a little over a year ago. All of our neighbors came over to greet us and welcome us to the neighborhood. We were surprised and delighted by this seemingly outdated and rare gesture. Our across the street neighbor brought us cookies and then told us that she lives alone with her 7 year old son. She also told us not to be surprised if we see a certain vehicle and man at her house on a regular basis. This man, she explained, is the father of her son. A year later, I completely understand why she felt the need to explain his presence. This daddy is there all of the time. I am amazed at the efforts he takes to be a part of his son's life. This time of year we see them playing catch nightly in the front yard. They wash the car together, mow the lawn and put up Christmas lights. Even though this father does not technically live with his son, he is more a part of his life than not. Most mornings he comes over to accompany his son to his school just two blocks up the street. From my point of view as the across-the-street neighbor, this father clearly puts his son first and deserves to be DOD. He's not a bad baseball coach either!