Passion and the Game. Dear Grandson, I am writing you to praise you for your courage!

I wrote to praise you for the courage you showed in pitching for the losing team.

It’s easy to win.

But It’s very hard to pitch and lose against batters who are much much stronger than you or your team. Worse still.

To do it in front of a crowd, fully exposed. What I admire so much is that you never lost your cool.

You never showed your disappointment on your face.

That to me shows a young man who is a winner in the best sense of the word.

Wins and losses come and go.

The best of teams go through the ups and downs of winning and losing.

But strength of character is forever.

It will be there for you no matter what happens.

It will see you through the most difficult times.

Talking about success. What struck me was that your entire team needs more intense coaching and training.

Everybody seemed to flub at catching, throwing, and batting.

(Though I must say I would be terrified being up at bats facing a pitcher

who sends those ghastly “90 miles an hour” curved balls!)

So my recommendations to you:

Shrink today’s loss in your head. Get more training.

And vary your platter of sport choices to include those sports for which your tall, lean body and sharp mind make you particularly suited!

Love, hugs, and tons of kisses,

Grandma Claire