Empty Seats: Why I Haven't Been to a Ballgame Since Dad Died | Ep 265

Empty Seats: Why I Haven't Been to a Ballgame Since Dad Died | Ep 265MERCHANDISE SHOP: voices-for-voices.org/3QnokLUSUPPORT VOICES FOR VOICES®:https://www.voicesforvoices.org/shop/p/supporterEver wonder why certain family traditions feel impossible to continue after losing someone you love? That's exactly what I explore in this deeply personal episode about baseball games, family bonds, and the weight of absence.Growing up, baseball games were the cornerstone of my family's shared experiences. From earliest memories of squeezing six people into my grandfather's Buick for gameday adventures to decades of attending games with my father, these weren't just sporting events—they were sacred rituals that connected generations. We'd pack sandwiches and watermelon in coolers, visit the same hot dog vendor year after year, and stand in the same spots where we'd chat with strangers who somehow became familiar faces despite never exchanging names.What strikes me now is how these experiences weren't about constant conversation or entertainment. Before smartphones demanded our attention, we simply existed together, commenting occasionally on a pitcher's form or nodding in agreement about a missed play. The value wasn't in what we said but in our shared presence. These gameday traditions evolved over thirty years, adapting as grandparents passed and families changed, but maintaining their essence as touchpoints of connection.Since my father's passing last year, I haven't attended a single game. The ballpark—once a place of joy—now represents his absence too painfully. My mother feels the same way. This isn't about physically being unable to go; it's about emotional readiness. And that's the message I want to leave you with: it's perfectly okay to take your time before resuming cherished activities that feel overwhelmingly empty without someone who made them special. Healing doesn't follow a timeline. Have you experienced something similar with your own family traditions? I'd love to hear how you've navigated these complex emotions.Chapter Markers0:00 Welcome and Charity Introduction3:03 Family Traditions Through the Years7:37 Baseball Games with Grandma and Grandpa16:09 Ballpark Rituals with Dad25:35 Missing Dad and Avoiding the Stadium33:45 Healing at Your Own Pace#EmptySeats #BallgameMemories #GriefJourney #SportsAndLoss #FatherSonBond #HealingThroughSport #BaseballTribute #CopingWithLoss #RememberingDad #LifeAfterLoss #EmotionalStorytelling #SportsNostalgia #FamilyTraditions #MentalHealthAwareness #HeartfeltReflections #TikTok #Instagram #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billionSupport the show