Allowing Quote by Doris Kearns Goodwin
“all through my childhood, my father kept from me the knowledge that the daily papers printed daily box scores, allowing me to believe that without my personal renderings of all those games he missed while he was at work, he would be unable to follow our team in the only proper way a team should be followed, day by day, inning by inning. In other words, without me, his love for baseball would be forever incomplete.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin, 2013
The narrator reveals how a father relied on his child's detailed sports recaps to stay emotionally connected to his team, highlighting dependence on personal narratives for meaning.
In simple terms: A dad needed his child’s game summaries to feel fully connected to baseball.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how personal storytelling sustains relationships.
Themes
family
sports
communication
memory
dependence
Mood
nostalgic
reflective
affectionate
Type
personal
familial
cultural
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- sports fandom
- parent‑child bonding
- daily rituals
Key Concepts
Narrative bonding
emotional attachment
media consumption
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sharing details strengthen family ties?
- What other activities rely on personal recounting?
A Different Perspective
If the child stopped providing updates, the father might feel detached from the team.
