This Week's Inspiration:
What it is: A few years back, during an ordinary scroll through social media, I came across a post that stopped me cold. Not the usual viral nonsense — this one brought real, actual tears to my eyes … right there in my office.
It was a simple story about a 72-year-old grandfather named Randy Long from Alabama. While cleaning out his garage, he stumbled across an old bucket of baseballs — the same ones he had pitched to his son and grandson for years. Rather than toss them, he brought the bucket to a local batting cage and left a handwritten note. Here’s what it said:
Hope someone can use some of these baseballs in the batting cages. I found them cleaning my garage. I pitched them to my son and grandson for countless rounds. My son is now 46 y/o and my grandson is 23 y/o. I am 72 and what I wouldn't give to pitch a couple of buckets to them. They have both moved away.
If you are a father, cherish these times. You won't believe how quickly they will be gone.
God bless.
P.S. Give them a hug and tell them you love them every chance you get.
Why It Inspires Me: That note leveled me.
As someone who became a dad a little later than most (I was 37 and 40 when my daughter and son were born), I like to think I have a strong appreciation for the fleeting moments of parenthood. But even with that perspective, I still sometimes let the days blur. I still get distracted. I still assume we’ve got “plenty of time.”
This grandfather’s note hit me hard because it put into words something I often feel but rarely say: just how deeply I love the time I spend with my kids. Especially when it’s something as simple and beautiful as tossing a ball around or coaching from the sidelines.
I’m not always great at expressing it — I’m a classic “dumb dad” when it comes to emotions — but this story reminded me to try. To be intentional. To tell my kids I love them. To give them that hug. To not let the moment slip away.
That old bucket of baseballs turned out to be a treasure chest of wisdom. And I think about it all the time.
