Shoot the ball, Carson!

We got the opportunity to babysit my nearly ten-month-old grandson this weekend. And I found some interesting truths about grandparenting…and a glimpse into my family’s future.


I thought I would share…

First, that rascal doesn’t look heavy….but man….carry him around for a while. It is like carrying around an animated bowling ball. Always moving….always struggling to get somewhere else.

I think Carson is a pretty good baby. He doesn’t cry. His Dad was a crier. I remember once hearing him scream all the way from Springfield to Bethalto. I got so hacked, I just turned up the radio. In today’s atmosphere, I could probably be brought up on charges…..for audio abuse or something.

As a Dreith, Carson likes two things. He likes to eat…and he can sleep like a champ.

Right now he only rolls around. In a month or two, the fireplace and other sharper items will have to be re-thought in our house.

I started the indoctrination of this young mind on this first weekend with Paw Paw. We talked a lot of basketball during the quiet moments together, especially when Grammy Carol was busy in the kitchen or doing housework. I talked a lot about what was expected of him in the next 18 years as a basketball player.

“Shoot the ball, Carson, “ was the most repeated directive. “Stay outside the arc…..and shoot the three. Save your energy on defense and rebound only if your teammates are not feeding you the ball enough. Be like a black hole (my opportunity to talk science with the boy)….the ball goes to you….and never comes back. Someone open? Forget them----shoot the ball. You are the offense, buddy.”

We talked about the Kansas Jayhawks and (in deference to his mother) the Butler Bulldogs.

He listened. He is a good listener at this point in his life. Especially with a pacifier in his mouth.

This indoctrination will continue in future Carson/Paw Paw dialogues.

I’m hoping he gets sufficient height from his mother’s side of the family tree. Great-grandpaw Oehler was about 6-5, I’m told….which is one the key reasons I blessed this union.

You take that genetic structure and my offensive teachings…..and you get many happy nights at Trimpe Middle School and CM High School hoops games.

I can only hope.

“Shoot the ball, Carson!”