Apparently the Sith scheduler didn\u2019t check with us\u00a0as our desired date was\u00a0for an away game in Ohio.\u00a0 THAT party was a little out the budget.\u00a0 Once the game schedule was out, we soon realized that we needed a Plan B. Sadly no light sabers could be used for bats in this one.<\/p>\n
We decided\u00a0to move the party ahead three weeks.\u00a0 New invitations, lots of correspondence with the Twins organization, phone calls to the rental bus company, and other preparations were in high gear.<\/p>\n
Finally, the week came.\u00a0 This year Minnesota\u2019s weather is getting on my last nerve.\u00a0 Right before our trip, we had blizzard-like conditions in April. Knowing my tendency to fret, one of Reed\u2019s favorite teachers\u00a0stopped me and said, \u201cYou know it might be cold on Saturday, but we will be warm in our hearts thinking of Reed.\u201d \u00a0Everyone needs friends like this, and I am blessed to have them!<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Her words completely changed my perspective.\u00a0 I was so worried a forecasted high in the 30\u2019s meant we would freeze at an outdoor baseball game, and our guests wouldn\u2019t have a good time.\u00a0 She also reminded me that Reed would have never been daunted by this weather.<\/i><\/b> \u00a0He would have just loved being able to go to the ball park.\u00a0 Truer words were never spoken.<\/i>\u00a0 My little ray of sunshine would have told us to just bundle up.<\/p>\n
The big day arrived.\u00a0 I would love to tell you I didn\u2019t fret, but I really wanted the day to be perfect for all of us. After picking up the rental mini-buses, we gathered our family and away we went to collect the rest of the party goers. \u00a0We christened each bus with a name: Faith and Love.<\/p>\n
Always a teacher, I explained other than a collective love for Reed, it was our faith and love that held this group together.\u00a0 Even if we had differences among us, TODAY we were going to show the world how faith and love conquer everything.<\/b>\u00a0 After the pep talk, we grasped hands, surrounding the flagpole like Reed organized years ago, and prayed for our safety and for us all to do the red-headed Boy Wonder proud.<\/p>\n
The trip up was amazing, filled with swapped stories \u2013 a family reunion of sorts on wheels.\u00a0 After a fun trip on the light rail, we arrived at the Twins stadium \u2013 all twenty-five of us.\u00a0 We had great seats \u2013 which fortunately turned out to be right next to the built-in heaters.\u00a0 Just in case, we were bundled from head to toe, looking like the little brother in The Christmas Story<\/span> movie.<\/p>\n We laughed. We cheered. We ate ball park food, but mostly, we all remembered the boy who brought us all together.\u00a0 We were an eclectic mix of excitement with a touch of sorrow when upon the megatron appeared: WELCOME REED STEVENS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.\u00a0 Of all of us, he would have been the most proud of having his name shining brightly for the world to see.<\/p>\n But wasn\u2019t that the point of the day? For those who loved him to carry his spark and light to the rest of the world.\u00a0 On that day, I sincerely believe we let our little lights shine bright enough that we never felt the cold. Reed\u2019s teacher was right; my heart was warmed – surrounded by such love. <\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
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