junior league

Ten days in Florida should give a family plenty of leisure time. A wise dad would be careful to make sure the opportunities are not wasted. Next year, when the family looks back on the trip, will they each remember it fondly? I hope so.

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One thing I would like to do down there, is play catch. In my family, that is more likely to be with a football than a baseball. We might even use a frisbee. I like baseballs and mitts, though. As youngsters, my brother and I played a lot of catch (baseball with mitts), and I loved it.

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Years ago, when I thought it was the right time, I began training my oldest son, so that I could pass on the tradition from his dad and uncle. He probably did not understand why I was so eager about this, and graciously tolerated a session that went on into the evening. Eventually, the streetlights had been turned on for our block. One pitch got lost in the glare, and wound up finding his face instead of the mitt. The season for playing catch was over. Maybe for good. He is nineteen now, and we never discovered what my brother and I shared as youths.

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While we're in Florida, I want to visit. I want to relax, go on leisure walks, take pretty pictures, do a little reading. I hope and expect to do these things, but it would be nice this time, if my hopes don't turn out to be a baseball in anybody's face.

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Hmmm... maybe I should buy them each a facemask.