Faith in the Freshman

We continue to get reactions to the publication of Faith in the Freshman.  I am grateful for the permission to publish some of these on the website for others to read and enjoy.  Neither this message, nor another that I plan to post in the coming days was addressed originally to me. This letter was addressed to my son, Andrew. ~Pat

Andrew,

I just got done reading your Dad’s book.  My Dad brought me a copy when he was out here in Nebraska for homecoming a couple weeks ago.  Initially, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it since I thought I knew the story (I’ve heard your Dad’s speech about his freshman year and have been getting updates on your situation from Hannah).  However, after letting it sit on the shelf for a few days I picked it up and started reading the intro, and never put it down!  I’ve always had a great deal of respect for you as a ballplayer and a shooter, but now I have even more respect for you as a man!  God has blessed you with an incredible heart and passion for basketball, but it is also clear that he is and will continue to use you for so much more.  The way you battled and continue to battle diabetes head on is amazing, and nothing that I can even fathom.  Most would have used that as an excuse to lower expectations or give up on dreams, but it became just another obstacle (a really big one) that you figured out how to overcome and work through.  I think that’s awesome to say the least!

God has also blessed you with a very special dad and an incredible father/son relationship.  I think this book touched me so much because it kept reminding me of my relationship with my dad (and my Mom who was always there along the way, just like your dad’s mom was and how your mom is as well).  Going through the process of chasing dreams with your father right there all along the way is a unique thing, and the bond that results lasts forever – that can never be taken away!  Someday when you’re a dad you’ll get to experience the joys (and the ups and downs) from the other side of things as well.

My son Jimmy just turned 9 today.  I thought I was a driven athlete, but he’s crazy!  His main passion is baseball, and just yesterday I got home from work and he was outside hitting baseballs for about an hour and a half in rainy 32 degree weather!  Who does that???  In the summer I’ll pitch to him and he won’t stop swinging until his hand start blistering and bleeding – literally.  He also loves basketball and last summer he made 21 out of 25 three pointers in the driveway (on a 9 ft hoop with an intermediate sized ball, but still pretty impressive for an 8 year old).  He can beat me pretty consistently in HORSE already.  The two of us will be in for an interesting ride in the years to come, and I can only hope that – no matter what dreams he chooses to chase – he shows the kind of dedication, determination, and work ethic that have made you the player and person you are today!

So… I just wanted to let you know that I’m pulling for you, and more importantly I’m praying for you.  I’ll continue to get updates from Hannah on how things are going.

And by the way, I hit 37 threes in a row after a practice once, so I was ticked off to read that you blew my personal record away!!!!

God’s blessings!

Dr. J (Jr.)