Match Maker

This story just cracked me up. I hope I do it justice as I try to retell the tale ...

Tonight was the first home football game of the season at CAK ... vs. SEYMOUR (our alma mater) of all teams! There was a "new family welcome dinner" prior to kick-off, and I met Randy and the kids there so we could have dinner together. After dinner, we all went to the stands, and they sat near me (I was in the pressbox); them sitting still in one spot lasted the first half of the first quarter.

Our playgrounds are adjacent to our football stadium and are staffed so the children can play with some supervision while the adults visit & watch the game. Funny how a trip to the bathroom turned into me not seeing Randy and the kids until well after half-time! Yep, Hudson figured out the playground option. So, Randy checked the kids in at the gate and he found several of our Seymour friends to visit with along the fence line at the field.

Apparently, once in the playground area, Hudson found a friend from his class (Whitt, whom Hudson actually calls Went), and they were off and running. Olivia perched herself atop of some play equipment to scope out someone her age to play with. Most everyone, she noticed, already had a buddy. She was okay with that, but really wanted to connect with someone. She scaled down to the ground and found Hudson; she shared her dilemma with him. He said, "Don't worry, Sissy. I'll find someone just your size for you." Rememer, this is Mister Bashful we're talking about here.

Hudson has always tried to guess the age of other kids by "mentally measuring" them. If he can count to 10 as he scans them with his eyes from head to toe, then they must be 10 years old. If the scanning process ends in a count to 7, then the child must be 7 years old. Such logic! So, he scans Olivia to confirm her age (I'm serious), and he starts his search. After a few minutes, he comes back to her with this announcement: "Okay, I've found a girl who I think is your age and your grade and she looks like she'd like to play with you." He points out the girl to Olivia, and Olivia makes her move. She says: "This might sound crazy, but my brother thinks you and I might have fun playing together. My name is Olivia; I'm 10 and in the 5th grade." The girl replies, "Sure, let's play! My name is Rebecca; I'm 9 and in the 4th grade."

The little fella was just about right! Isn't that crazy? Well, it gets better. After a bit, Rebecca tells Olivia that two very nice 5th grade girls are in the playground area, and she thinks they'd like to meet her. Introductions are made, and a little 10-year-old-trio is born. The evening ends in hugs, the two CAK girls giving Olivia a balloon as a little gift, and all saying "see you at the next game" ... so sweet ... thanks to our miniature match-maker!