Go Braves!

Chers Amis,

I think we have been ruined for baseball forever. Last Friday afternoon, our wonderful next door neighbors called and invited us to that evening's match up between the Atlanta Braves and the Florida Marlins. They had won a radio contest for tickets in a premium suite for the game. Could we make it on such short notice? Hesitation. I would have to check with my husband to see how much longer he would be chained to the desk - I mean, would have to work that evening. I called his private line. No answer. When in doubt, e-mail. Zap! Almost instantly came a ding-a-ling-a-ling coupled with an estatic "Heck, YES!" My husband was overjoyed! While not a huge Braves fan, he had been dyingto take the kids to a game this year, but we hadn't been able to make it. It had also been a really difficult week, so this invitation was truly a prayer answered for him. Four hours later, we were ensconced in the sweet summer smog of rush hour/ game hour traffic on our way to Turner Field- The Ted. We even had a parking pass right next to the stadium. What fun! Our neighbor's family and friends from his office arrived at the suite just as we came off the elevator. It was such a treat! An air-conditioned room with a couch and chairs, floor to ceiling sliding glass doors overlooking the stretch from home plate to first base, outdoor seating under an overhang with it's own ceiling fan. Did I mention it came with food? Hot dogs, peanuts, quesadillas, pizza, chicken, fruit/veggie plates and drinks. We kept waiting for the President or some head of state to come by and we all giggled guiltily as if we had crashed a party. The guys all sat outside and watched the game while my neighbor and I lounged in the cool and snuggled our increasingly sleepy and full children. Even her teenage daughter was cuddled up next to her by the eighth inning. Unfortunately the Braves lost and Pippin started to melt down after the final out, but as the Friday night fireworks lit up the sky, we all thanked our hosts for their generosity and God for his spectacular once-in-a-lifetime gift. Next time, it will be back to the $2 nosebleed seats, public bathrooms and a bag of peanuts, but what an evening. Go Braves!

-- Marjorie