The regular season over, Bren’s baseball team (known as the Radiators for their sponsor, Roger’s Radiator Repair) practiced this warm, clear evening. The kids were loose, laughing, as were the coaches – and their relaxed demeanor brought natural grace and ease to every at-bat, every worm-burning grounder, every towering fly. The kids (several boys, one girl) were smacking the ball around the park, snagging and shagging on every play, diving and sliding – they left the field sweaty, skinned and smiling.

They never play that loosely in games … and for a guy like me, with little athletic talent, their happy-go-lucky exhibition was a wonder to behold!