Baseball - The Best Part Was Always the People

Mom loved the game.

But if you asked her what she loved most about those days at Nationals Park, I think she would have said the people.

My coworker Tracy had season tickets too. Tracy was the kind of person who lit up a room — high energy, full of heart, the type who left Hawaii and came all the way to DC because she wanted to help make healthcare better for real people. She and mom were kindred spirits from the start.

Every time our paths crossed at the stadium, it was the same thing — a hug, a smile, and the easy comfort of two people who just genuinely liked each other. No catching up required. They picked right up, every time.

But it wasn't just Tracy.

One afternoon, three young women — probably in their twenties — ended up in the seats right in front of us. By the third inning we were laughing. By the fifth we were taking pictures. By the time the game ended, we had shared stories, swapped smiles, and made friends.

That was mom.

It didn't matter if she'd known you for five minutes or fifty years. You always left feeling like you had a friend in her.

The Nationals gave us a great season.

But Hootsie gave everyone around her something better.