Several minutes into trying to convince our- selves these seats would work, we decided to take a huge gamble. We would find a way down into the bottom section. The stadium was packed but we had to try. Even if we could only watch close up for an inning or two, it would be worth spending the rest of the day in a basement office with security guards. We finally made it down to the bottom level. No one was asking for tickets, so we started our way down toward seats our own parents could never afford. We might have made it, except a kindly looking older man wearing a Dodger-blue straw hat called out, “Gentlemen, excuse me one moment.” We made the mistake of looking back. “May I see your tickets, please?” We pulled out our tickets, knowing our dream was over. He looked at them, then looked at us. Then he leaned his head way back, up to where our seats were. Then, very seriously, he spoke: “Follow me.” He walked us down into the great bowl—past the wealthy people, past the players’ wives, past the scouts, past the owners…all the way down to directly behind the third base dugout. The Dodger’s dugout! He looked at our tickets and then at us, saying clearly and loudly, “Gentlemen, I believe these are your seats.” By the time we sat down and realized what had happened, he was gone. We watched a dou- ble header from where God sits when he watches the Dodgers play. Sandy Koufax pitched one of the games. We bought Dodger dogs and frozen malts. We listened to our hero, Vin Scully, echoing from transistor radios throughout the stadium. We’d call out the names of the players and they’d wave back. We chased down foul balls. Afterward, we waited and got autographs from Willie Davis, Bill Singer, and Al Ferrara! They truly were six of the finest hours of my entire life. For 13-plus years, life had been methodically teaching me that actual events rarely meet the anticipated expectation. But this day exceeded all anticipation. John, I don’t know who is happier this day— you or Me. I lined up Koufax to pitch for you. That was no small feat. I know you’ve already discovered much of life isn’t as spectacular or satisfying as the anticipation. I’ve watched this break your heart. It will actually serve to draw you to Me. I’ve built into you this long- ing for a world that doesn’t disappoint. Today, I only wanted to see you enjoying this life as completely as your being can hold. I love you a lot, kid. I can’t wait until we get to meet. A Dream with an Asterisk F rom the moment I first see Sandy Koufax, I decide I want to be a great pitcher. I had never worked at anything as hard. I give up all other sports by my junior year and concen- trate on whatever I can do to become an All-State pitcher and help Washington High win a state title. In the off-season, I run up mountains and lift 40 WWW.AGRM.ORG MAY/JUNE 2017 For 13-plus years, life had been methodically teaching me that actual events rarely meet the anticipated expectation. But this day exceeded all anticipation.