HOW MANY TIMES

Do we miss the big picture by focusing on the wrong thing? How many times have we passed on a great chance to communicate when we concentrated on the wrong thing?

I have been so guilty of dismissing an important thing that one of my family members was trying to get across to me, trying to reach out to me, trying to reveal something important to me. How have I missed it? By focusing on a ballgame or even a tv show.

Oh, I acted interested. And that's all it was, an act. Whether it was concentrating on Richie Allen in 1970, Todd Worrell facing HoJo Johnson in 1985, or Chris Carpenter this season, I've let a ton of opportunities pass me by. I've grown from a newlywed to a grandfather and haven't learned a thing. Except, "my bad," a term I just helped my wife explain to our grandson Grant.

So if any blog reader thought for a second that the Carlyle quote will bring an epiphany to me, no way. I don't say that boldly, proudly, defiantly, or ashamedly. I just know I won't change.

Ok, I'll try.