The things we do for love

Have you ever sat on the bleachers while your child played soccer in 32º weather, thinking the game would never end? That’s love.

Have you ever sat on the sideline of a football game, wanting it to be over as the scorching sun beats down on your body, while you suffer through the enjoyment of watching your grandchild tackle his own teammate? That’s love in the second degree.

Have you ever arrived at a baseball field where your five-year-old great-grandson was playing in his first tee-ball game, only to find the temperature in the 40s, the wind chill near freezing, and pouring rain that felt like sleet? That’s the third degree of love.

On Saturday, April 18, Chuck and I experienced the third degree of love as we stood along the sideline of our great-grandson’s tee-ball game. The weather was brutal, yet those little five-year-olds were determined to play. Chuck umpired for 40 years and said this was the worst weather he had endured since umpiring in the snow.

He also remarked, “Janet, this might be the dumbest thing we’ve ever done.”

He might be right.

Love shows up. Every time your family moves to the next generation, it’s easy to make excuses not to show up … but love makes you do crazy things.

Tiberius may not understand why we showed up, but he may remember that his Grand Chuck and his GaGa were there. As I said, love shows up. There were 12 of us at that game.

We decided to leave before the first official ball was hit off the tee, but we had watched them “practice” for 45 minutes. I can honestly say that 45 minutes in that weather felt like 45 hours.

We were about a mile down the road from Grand Park when my grandson, Matthew, texted to say they had called the game. Great call by the coaches. I’m not sure there was even a first out before everyone was called … Out!

I’ve been thinking about all the times parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents show up for their family. I’m not trying to guilt anyone who doesn’t. There are reasons it’s okay not to attend athletic events. As Grand Chuck and I get older, we may choose to stay home for a good reason, but for now, we will bundle up, show up, and question our sanity for doing so.

So, if you think that once your kids are grown, you will be relaxing on the sofa or hanging out at the golf course, you might be surprised where love will take you.

And speaking of where love will take you, this week it took me to Tampa to hang out with Aiden (15), Leah (13), and Alex (granddog). Emily and Drew both had conferences, and I was available as an Uber driver and Meals on Wheels.

My 4:30 a.m. wakeup to get Aiden to a workout before school was brutal. If you remember, in a previous column I wrote about his attending Tampa Jesuit High School, which is a 45- to 60-minute drive. A stop at Dunkin’ Donuts was needed for four vanilla iced donuts for Aiden and a strong coffee for me.

On my way back home to take Leah to school, I stopped at Starbucks for her Pink Drink, no berries, light ice, and vanilla cold foam. The drive-thru line was 12 cars deep, so I parked and went inside. Please understand that I was wearing no makeup and my hair was tousled, not in a good way. The carpool line at Leah’s school slithered around the parking lot at 0.5 mph. Sometimes love puts us in the slow lane.

When I returned to their house, I was greeted by Alex, the goldendoodle. He loves his grandma and won’t go out in their backyard unless I have a leash on him. I guess he’s afraid I’ll run off. He’s quick to potty, and we head back into the house. It’s 9:30, and I’ve been up for five hours. You know, a nap is next on my agenda.

I’m finishing this column while sitting at the Tampa Airport. If you had told me some 40 years ago, when Emily and Brandon were little, that I would be two more generations in, sitting on the sidelines and running kids around, I would have told you, “No way.” Age has its excuses, and I’m not afraid to use them. But when I can show up, I will and I’ll convince Grand Chuck to join me.

The things we do for love, we will keep on doing.

Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). She is the recipient of the Reporter’s Spring 2025 Ink-Stained Wretch award. Visit janethartleonard.com.