June 22, 23 and 24, 2012
“Rise and shine,” my mother exclaimed! It was early in the morning, around 7:00 am, but unlike normal, I didn’t care. I wasn’t grumpy and I wasn’t tired. Why? I just woke up in my homeland. I opened the window, let the sun shine in, and said “Good Morning Baltimore!”
We got ready for the day, and as we drove up to Oriole Park, my heart raced faster than ever before. I was entering what to me is the holy land. I had no idea what awaited me. A guided tour of Camden Yards, a run in with Rick Dempsey, and a trip down to the field while the Orioles took batting practice. I waited my whole life to finally be here in Baltimore, and even a rain delay made me wait a little longer, but nothing was stopping me now. A sold out crowd came out for the “Battle of the Beltways” between the Orioles and Nationals, two in-state rivals. A sea of orange rose as one for the national anthem, and the roar of 45,891 Orioles fans rang loud and clear.
“That our flag was still there. OOOOOO Say does that star spangled.” Every Oriole fan yelled “O” during the national anthem. That’s when it really hit me. I was where I’ve always wanted to be. We really made it to an Orioles game at Camden Yards.
