Ninth inning

I took this picture in Pancho Mateo, the largest and poorest of the villages we serve here. I found it interesting, and sad, that kids will find some place and some way to play baseball even in the poorest conditions.

It is, truly, the ninth inning. I'm typing on the iPad on the patio of my room just minutes before Rob comes to get me to have lunch with our friend Mike before we go straight to the airport. This morning we've been catching the last few rays and soaking up one final bit of warmth and sunshine before we go back to the freezing cold that's blanketed the US this week. I will miss this warmth until it finds us in south Alabama in April or so.

But more than that I will miss the people and the atmosphere and the laid back and casual attitudes that dominate the Caribbean. We complain about "island time" often; about the inability of the people here to be on time and take obligations seriously, but I'll take island time. I won't say it's worry free here, but when I'm here my worries and cares seem so far away.

But I miss my family and friends in the States. I think I hear Rob coming now. I'll be home soon.