The first day of summer arrived Saturday without a lot of fanfare.
It is a time of year that many people look forward to for a wide variety of reasons.
One of the more pleasurable activities of late spring and early summer has been being able to watch and cheer on children as they participate in youth T-ball, baseball, softball and even football.
How well Krista and I remember those years of transporting son Brandon and daughter Kelsey to the Tallahatchie Youth League fields just down the road from our house. With folding chairs in tow, we would huddle up with other parents, grandparents and even unaffiliated fans of the sport to watch the little ones engage in America’s pastime.
Many a precious memory was made while observing the youngest of the young occasionally succumb to one of the many distractions that awaited them while on the field of play.
There was some very good and sometimes intense game action between teams of slightly older young athletes. Their competitive juices were beginning to flow.
Kelsey spent a number of years playing ball at Rosebloom Recreational Park. For a while, she played adult co-ed there. In that picturesque and serene hillside setting, many games of clean, family-oriented fun were enjoyed. What a grand venue it is.
Unfortunately, the summer plans of many people have been interrupted and even scrapped this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rosebloom ballpark leaders announced in mid-May that they were canceling the 2020 T-ball and co-ed softball seasons due to concerns about the spreading coronavirus.
Just one week ago, the park’s board of directors revealed that the annual Rosebloom 4th of July celebration and fireworks show will not be held this year. What a disappointment that is to so many, including myself. It is always such a wonderful program of music and patriotism.
Some people will take vacations or enjoy little road trips this summer, but many others will stay close to home.
Summer is still summer. And yet, somehow it is not.
