December 26th, 1930 ... Opelika, Alabama
The old man rolled the light, soft ball to his grandson, also named Willie.
For a two year old, the little boy showed a remarkable gracefulness and dexterity....and it also helped that he and Grandpa Love had been playing this particular game for almost a year.
Young Willie (as he was called) captured the rolling ball, and rolled it back to his Grandpa. Young Willie could play this game for hours.
(Editors note: This is EXACTLY what Willie Mays' grandad did with him, and what I will do with my grandson, if my daughter ever cranks one out
)
His mother Julia watched complacently from the rocker, where she spent much of her day knitting, and sewing. Times were hard for the Love family, as they were for everyone else. No store-bought clothes for us! It helped that the girls, all four of them, were able to share and hand down the clothes from one to another.
Laughter from young Willie caused her to look up, and to smile. The child had SUCH energy! She was pleased that she had her pop to help out, now that he was retired. The little house sure was crowded now, with three adults and the five kids.