a Shared Life

On Friday I had the privilege of having lunch with the legendary Spook Jacobs, who still holds a record in major league baseball. Ironically, another native Delawarean, Delino DeShields, tied this record. (Check out his stats.)I have wanted to meet Spook for a number of years, but it’s been an elusive meeting to arrange. I’d met his son, but never had a chance to meet him, even though he lives less than 20 minutes from me. Since he was meeting with my Dad, I stopped by in time to catch him–and have lunch at Hall’s–a Camden-Wyoming tradition. Why was he meeting with us? Like so many people in this part of Delaware–he’s one of my cousins. There may be six degrees of separation for Kevin Bacon, but in Delaware, we often only have one or two. I’ve been on the phone with people when I’ve realized that they were married to a cousin. It reminds me how connected all of us really are. And it makes me wonder if people would treat each other differently if we thought of everyone we see as relatives. So that guy who just cut me off? Maybe he’s my cousin…maybe I should give him more grace…maybe I should give EVERYONE more grace…

One great story Spook told, which will be in the book he’s writing on his experiences in baseball, is of a foul ball he hit in Texas. A young Texan girl had the misfortune of being directly in its way. By her own account, it knocked her out. Fortunately, it also led to her marriage to Spook. So, all things really can be worked together for good! It makes me wonder what’s the strangest way you’ve ever heard of meeting someone else–and maybe even getting married?!?!