OK, so I like popcorn. I do not eat it all of the time. In college it was the cheapest snack possible, but best of all, no mess! Air popped popcorn had almost no taste, and no calories, so we made it most nights. And I always got my share, because it was my popper. My wife thinks that I am a little protective of my popcorn, that I do not like to share it. I really like sharing, as long as I see that I am still getting my share.

We went to a baseball game and bought a large bucket of popcorn. No worries that way of me getting enough for my share. Favorite seats in the nearly empty Stadium were upper deck behind the plate. My wife went to the restroom while we were at bat. The best player on the team came to bat, Andre Thornton. He hit a foul ball straight back, and it was coming up to my upper deck section. Only 3 other people were there and they were about 4 rows below where the ball would land. I was two rows above it, so, I dropped the popcorn, leaped down the rows, and pounced on the ball. It was mine. First souvenir baseball.

My wife returned to our row and saw the spilled popcorn. She asked what I did to the popcorn. So I showed her the ball, and then I shared my part of the popcorn, since I figured I spilled most of hers.

Years later, Andre Thornton was asked by a member to speak at our church. I brought the baseball, upon which I had written his name, the date, and the names of the pitcher and catcher, since they both played for our team later in their careers. To my amazement, Andre could not believe that I had kept that ball, with those written names on it, and that it meant so much to me that I would ask for his signature on it, even though he was retired. He remains the most humble professional athlete I have ever met.

Hoping that you have a Happy Friday as a new baseball season begins today. Yeah, baseball!! Remember to subscribe on the Perspectives page.