My nephew Jacob got an opportunity to play at Veteran's Memorial Stadium Tuesday night. In some ways, I felt like I was watching myself many years ago. It also made me long to be on the field again or just to play catch with my dad.

Jacob's going to be a freshman this fall and got to be part of a varsity/junior varsity doubleheader. He's thin, just as I was at that age. Like me, his love for the game burns deep. He loves it so much he's taking advantage of the opportunity to play for both the junior high and junior varsity teams this year. That's a lot of practices, a lot of games, and lots of travel for the family but my sister and her husband wouldn't have it any other way. It was a full family affair with Jacob's brother and sister also at the game, along with Julie's sister and her husband.

My parents would've been at the game too had my dad not had an accident recently. He's recovering slowly, but it didn't seem quite right with them not being there. Just like my sister and her hubby, my parents were always there when I was growing up. Missing games just wasn't an option. My dad always seemed to say yes when I wanted  to play baseball. He threw me pop-ups 'til he probably thought his arm would fall off. He hit me ground ball after ground ball; was my catcher when I learned to pitch. He was even my Little League coach. Oh, the memories and the fun. Only now, when those days are over, do you realize just how much you appreciated it and how deeply you miss it.

Enjoy the summer Jacob and love every second of all those practices and all those games. And keep working buddy. Hard work, dreams, and love of something are rare and powerful combinations.

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