My 5 year old granddaughter has more wisdom than most. Yes, yes, every grandpa says exactly that, and I do also agree that just as in Lake Wobegon, all grandchildren are above average. However, in my case she really is amazing. We took her to an exhibition game on Monday, and she delivered life wisdom. She chose to support the Dodgers against the Giants even though we sat in an enclave of orange and black. For the first several innings she was more interested in her kettle corn and her little sister’s antics than she was in the game. But she paid attention as the Giants scored a go ahead run. She knows the object of the game is to return home and the long legged outfielder leaving second and rounding third after a bouncing ball up the middle was hard to miss. So she sat on my lap as the Dodgers had their last chances. There was a pop out, then there was strike out (we reviewed the “1, 2, 3 strikes you’re out” lyric as the batter returned to the dugout.) Soon enough Manny Ramirez grounded out and the game was “over”. (That word is in quotes because it was actually the top of the 5th, but Grandpa had had enough!) No sooner had the out been made than Ashlyn piped up “I am still happy!” I asked what she was talking about. “Even if the Dodgers didn’t win. I am still happy at the ballgame!”

So tonight I watched the Sun Devils lose an opening round game in the Pac-10 tourney. It is kind of sad to watch them for 4 months and then have them lose so convincingly in an important game. Luckily for me, I have Ashlyn wisdom. I can hear her cheerful, sincere voice. “I’m still happy!” Hey, why not?