This past Easter Sunday provided the Lowery clan with a most enjoyable get-together, the first such group opportunity since Christmas. The downstate trip included great conversation and catch-up, a tasty spread, and some backyard cornhole competition. Sprinkled in was a vast array of tempting cakes, pies, and sweet treat desserts.

Not on the menu was a hefty dose of humble pie, which I was willing to forego as I had already been served a slice of the same earlier in the day.

Easter Sunday began with a beautiful church service amidst a setting of colorful spring outfits and a most welcomed large gathering. Following the service, friendly banter was abundant as one parishioner approached me with a smile and an Easter greeting.

“I read your column every week,” he said. “Most of them are great, but some of them stink! You keep writing, and I’ll keep reading, even if I don’t like some of them.”

Gulp. Could I have a little whipped cream to sweeten that slice?

Oh yes, they say variety is the spice of life. If one does not like chocolate or vanilla, there is always Neapolitan. That’s the beauty Webb Weekly and sports provide; if you don’t like something, turn the page or move on till you find something that perks your interest.

Such was the case with our Easter mobilization.

Family members’ sports rooting interests include the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, and Atlanta Braves, with a small spattering of the Boston Celtics thrown in. There is also active participation in college soccer, soon-to-be college football, hunting, fishing, and some motorcycle riding. Lest I forget, there is one grandson who somehow went off the beaten path and roots against the family grain for the Phillies and Eagles.

While the meal was being prepared, eyeballs gathered in several rooms viewing the Pirates and Phillies games that were taking place simultaneously. The Phillies’ backers were quite smitten with their red pinstripers seemingly holding a comfortable lead over the Cincinnati Reds, while the Pirates were being held to two hits against the White Sox.

But as it has often been stated, “It’s not over till the fat lady sings.” When the final dust cleared in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, the Phillies had squandered their advantage when the Reds scored three runs in the ninth inning and, despite their lack of hitting, the Pirates racked up a 1-0 win in the Burgh.

But the Pirates’ victory turned quite somber with the news that exciting shortstop Oneil Cruz would miss the next four months of the season after fracturing his left ankle during a play at the plate. Even the Phillies fans paused, and the meal serving was delayed until several replays of the frightening collision could be digested via numerous TV replays.

Following the meal, with the humble pie going untouched, the sporting endeavors turned to competitive rounds of cornhole. Never admitting that the accumulation of years may dim the spirited effectiveness or accuracy of those bean-bag tosses, but somehow the younger ones among us managed to win most of the rounds played, and they were not too shy in the manner by which they conducted the post-match celebration.

With bellies full and the competition concluded, departures were delayed until the final few holes of the Masters golf tournament were played. While golf does not hold much of an interest in our family, one of those family ‘war stories’ was retold, much to the chagrin of son Doug.

While playing on his high school golf team, I got a call asking me to come to the golf course to pick him up. Seems a stray shot off the nearby fairway went array and struck him on the point of his elbow, causing considerable pain and swelling. It wasn’t funny at the time, but all had a good laugh recounting how a 6’2 athlete had to be removed from a golf match via an errant shot.

We all have stories to tell, and humble pie has been tasted by many. I was cut from a college baseball team after a very stupid baserunning mistake. Jean’s first softball managing gig ended in a 27-0 all-star loss. A granddaughter scored a basket for the opposing team. My daughter lost her basketball captain’s duties after competing in a swimming meet.

Yet through it, all sports have been a major factor in all of our lives. We hope your Easter provided as much joy as ours, even without the humble pie!