Dear Zach Eflin,

I'm sure I surprised you when I told you just over a week ago that your first complete game and major league win brought me to tears.  Your second complete game had a similar effect on me this past Friday.  I appreciate your part in my Phillies story, and the history of the organization.  I'm crossing my fingers that I get to see you pitch in person soon.

I know the Phillies do it every year, but I'm still floating from experiencing Photo Day at Citizens Bank Park.  I know that I was only one of over 37,000 fans that day, yet I left the park feeling like I was the most important fan there.  I still have a spring in my step from having the opportunity to say hello and thank you to so many of my favorite players, coaches, broadcasters, and of course the Phanatic and Phoebe.  I'm especially grateful to my new usher friend, Glenn, who made sure I saw everyone on my list.  I felt like all involved were there for the sole purpose of helping me realize a childhood dream.  I actually got to hug the real Phillie Phanatic.

I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and first discovered my affinity for the Phillies when I was watching them play my Dad's Cubs.  They were really behind in the second inning, 13-2, I think, and Greg Luzinski was up to bat.  My Dad asked who I thought was going to win.  I said the Phillies.  They won 18-16 that day, and I have been a Phillie Phan ever since.  Thanks to Google, I know that day was April 17, 1976.  

My Dad took us to games at Wrigley when he could.  I don't remember a single score from the games he took us to, but I remember him encouraging me whenever the Cubs defeated the Phillies.  I remember that there was a picture of Ernie Banks smiling on the front of every score card.  I remember loving spending time with my Dad and my brother.  I remember defending Tug McGraw to some frustrated Cubs fans and Tug McGraw winking at me.  I remember thinking Ron Reed was the tallest man I had ever seen.  Experiencing Wrigley with my Dad and brother was where my admiration for pitchers began.

Last week's Photo Day was an opportunity for me to be that little girl again.  My teacher friends were there to watch the game with me.  

They said watching me experience this was like watching their kids experience Disney World for the first time.  My aunt, uncle, and cousins also came to cheer on the Phillies with me.  My family and friends were able to think and speak for me when my excitement made me speechless, especially when I went to say thanks to Greg Luzinski or to tell Ryan Howard how much my class loved his Little Rhino books.

 

 I loved reminiscing with my family about watching games with Granddad.  

The Phillies have been always been there for all of us.

While we were at the game, we had the pleasure of sitting in front of some very enthusiastic Mets fans.  I really enjoyed their banter, and I know my friends did, too.  The whole time I kept thinking there's a great lesson here.  Respect different opinions.  You don't have to see eye to eye with people to have a great time together.  This lesson definitely applies to education, too.  It's one of the most important lessons I hope my first graders learn every year.  One of the reasons I love this game so much is the number of people I've met who love baseball as much as I do.  Baseball connects my past, my present, and my future.  When I'm at the ballpark, I get to be Ellen.

I also had the pleasure of meeting some new Phillies fans who I hope to see at future games.  If you see a resemblance to Bryce Harper you're not alone.  I really enjoyed discussing our favorite players with them and soaking up the ballpark experience with them.

My aunt and uncle also took me to see the Fightin Phils play the Trenton Thunder on this trip, and we went back to Citizens Bank park on Monday to see the Phillies play the Marlins.  I roamed the park that day to take more pictures from different angles.  I had a second opportunity to say thanks to the pitchers and coaches in the bullpen.  I got to photograph the Phillies Wall of Fame and wonder where Jim Thome's plaque will go next month.

This is just a portion of my Phillies story.  I tell people every year baseball helps me through the two most challenging times of the school year, the beginning and the end.  I appreciate your struggles as well as your triumphs.  I am grateful for your efforts because they inspire me to keep trying regardless of how challenging things get.  

Thanks for giving me High Hopes:)

Your friend in North Carolina,

Ellen