A Poem for my Late Twins Superfan Dad, Opening Day

[Spencer Legred]

My dad was huge Twins fan, and he suffered with dementia for the last 8 years, and he passed away last Christmas. I put down some of what I have been thinking about. And I hope baseball romantics like me can find some joy in it. 

 

Opening Day by Spencer Legred

 

The warm sun comforts you
On this very first day
And you pause to remember
Maybe it’s family 
Maybe it’s friends
And if you’re like me
Maybe it’s Dad

 

Yes, on this day of rebirth
On this day of new life
Your mind cannot shake
Those in the great by and by
Yes, today is a ball game
Not bound by space and by time

 

As we gather on this same beautiful day
We do so much more than just play a game

 

We have gathered for generations
In war and peace
In sickness and health
The dates may change
But humanity
60 feet, 6 inches
This very first day
All, all remain the same

 

So on this very first day, we stop

 

And for one eternal new day
Love the game both past and present
As we gather with loved ones
Past, future, and present

 

On this day of communion
This Opening Day
There’s angels in the outfield
And Dad’s there today

 

-Spencer Legred

[Squirrel]

Thank you ... that was lovely. So sorry for you loss ... I lost my own father to dementia a bit over a year and half ago.

[John Bonnes]

I really loved this.

 

Opening Day is a lot more than just the game or the crowd or the event. It's also a way or marking time, and naturally that means remembering those you love or have loved. I'm very glad they can be intertwined that way. I'm very glad they were intertwined for you, Spencer. 

 

It also feels very natural to relate our relationships, particularly family relationships, with baseball. Baseball is a slower game, and a slower season, and it moves on a day-to-day cadence. So it is with families. There are big events, but the bonds are formed in the quiet, gradual way that a season is played. A special season isn't one game. It's a journey. Just like you don't remember when you started to to fall in love with a spouse, or your kid, or your parent. One day, they're a part of you, and you recognize they have been for a while. 

 

So we honor those moments, and Opening Day is as good a day as any to celebrate and commemorate, and maybe mourn a bit. It's a good day for one's heart to swell into one's eyeballs. 

[operation mindcrime]

That was really beautiful... thank you for sharing this with us! I'm sorry for your loss!

[IndianaTwin]

Thanks, Spencer, and I join others in being sorry for your loss.

 

Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's three years ago and is on the road, to quote my favorite folksinger, John McCutcheon, "between good and gone." 

 

Though I don't remember ever playing ball or watching games together, it's not unusual to see a game on television when I arrive. Baseball cards occasionally showed up in my lunch box, and she taught herself a rudimentary way to keep score when she went to games. 

 

McCutcheon's song of about his dad is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQWy8aLNaZ4. If you get caught up, try this as well: