Hi, State College. I’m back!
For the past week, I have been away from the University Park post office — The Park — on what most people would call ‘a vacation.’ Though I’m one of the happy few who feel like home is a vacation, I took the opportunity this week to travel more than between State College and Linden Hall.
My daughters’ Father’s Day present this year was a set of tickets to my first-ever Phillies game. (Even I was surprised when I realized I have never been to a game before. I have always been a fan!) My wife and I were to be going with my older daughter, Marykate. She lives in Philadelphia and is as much of a Phillies fan as I am. (My younger daughter Michaela has lived in Boston for a little more than two years and is becoming a Red Sox fan, but that’s OK.)
As I have gotten older — I am now 43 — it becomes more and more important to me not to focus on what you do and where you go to do it, but with whom you do it. Although I was psyched to go to the game, I was disappointed Michaela was not going to be there. She is in grad school, and the summer classes are pretty intense up there in Red Sox nation!
Early Saturday morning my wife, Katie, and I got into the car and drove the 180 miles to Marykate’s home. As we were unloading the car, she came out and helped. After our hello hugs she said, ‘Dad! First thing I want to do when we get inside is give you the tickets. I know that I will forget them if I don’t give them to you now!’ (No argument from me.)
When we got inside, I was sitting on her couch and I noticed my wife had this twinkle in her eye, but before I could figure it out why, out walked Michaela from Marykate’s bedroom holding the baseball tickets! I think I blacked out for a second, but I’m told I just looked at Katie in shock! It was a fantastic surprise.
As we headed to the Phillies game, against the Colorado Rockies, my biggest concern was the heat. It was the hottest day of July (I believe it was 127 degrees, or at least felt like it). But once we got into Citizen’s Bank Park, the excitement took over and all I cared about was spending time with my entire family. A Phillies win wouldn’t be too shabby either!
Around the sixth inning, I was approached in the Hall of Fame Club by a gentleman named Mark who simply asked, ‘Excuse me, but are you the guy that worked at the Penn State post office and was really funny?’ Marykate responded for me and quipped, ‘Why yes he is, and he’s still funny!’
Mark then went on to reflect on his positive experience at PSU: how he graduated in ‘91, has three daughters and still tries to make it to some football games with his father. I am always astonished that no matter where I go, Penn State always seems to present itself somehow! I love that. I am always so humbled when someone recognizes me. What’s even better is to listen to their memories of Penn State and how I was a part of that for them.
Later on that night (after the Phillies won 10-2), my family and I headed to Atlantic City. We had a fun time on the boardwalk, eating dinner at The Continental on the pier and playing a little in the casino. The following morning, we had a great beach day, during which I was approached by about eight to 10 recent Penn State graduates while walking on the boardwalk. They took pictures and were laughing. I found myself again thrilled to be a part of it all.
Later Sunday afternoon, Katie and I hugged Marykate and Michaela and headed home to Happy Valley. It was such an unforgettable weekend. Thanks again, girls.
Starting off the week, I headed down route 192 to a nursery in Madisonburg on a mission to plant some flowers in our front yard. I couldn’t help but think what a difference less than 200 miles made! I think I passed a total of three cars on my Madisonburg excursion.
I observed farmers working in their fields while the smell of freshly cut hay filled my car. As much as I always thought I was more of a city slicker, I am beginning to realize (at the tender age of 43), I may favor the country.
People often ask me where I go when I want to get away. Besides the mini-trips like the one I recently took to be with my family, I am happy to be at home, here in Happy Valley.
