Work, and working, sucks. It sucks hard. So much of it is meaningless.
I used to be able to help veterans get federal benefits. Even though I'm still in exactly the same position, the process has changed so much that now it's nothing more than procedural bullshit. I am so detached from my work anymore it's ridiculous. I literally only work for the paycheck and for the benefits, and do my best to actively disengage my brain during the work day so I can minimize the emotional suffering of being a mindless cog in a machine that doesn't care whether I'm there or not. But that's not actually the point of this post.
Tonight, I got to coach 3rd base for my son's T-ball game for the first time ever.
If you've never seen kindergarten T-ball, you're really missing out on a great joy in life. The first thing you have to do is completely absolve yourself of the thought that “T-ball” has anything more than an extremely vague resemblance to “baseball.”
These kids have almost zero idea of how to play, but that only adds to the joy of their playing. When the ball is eventually hit 7 to 10 feet, a pile of little kids in jerseys jump on top of it. Eventually, one of them will emerge from the pile, holding the ball high like a trophy. Meanwhile, the coaches are all shouting in unison “THROW IT TO FIRST! THROW IT TO FIRST!” A few confused moments later, the ball is lobbed in the general direction of first base. The runner has been on first base for at least a full minute by this point. And then the process repeats until every player on the team has had an at-bat and ran to home. These “games” are only played for two innings, but that's plenty of time for the kids, and parents, to have a blast.
Watching my son's first game last week was crazy. But actually being on the field for this game was truly one of the more MEANINGFUL things that I have ever done in my personal life, ever.
My son gave me a hug both times he got to third base. And my heart melted in joy.
Fuck work. Go do something meaningful. Maybe play some T-ball ️