The Sandlot - When Kids Ask, "What Was Life Like For You When You Were A Kid?"

My kids ask me all the time, "What was life like for you at my age dad?" We share countless stories of life during the 70s. Generationally, it would seem we like to know what our parent's lives were like. I remember asking my dad what his life was like as a child.

For me, the Sandlot represents a simpler time that I grew up in. In the movie, kids went to the sandlot and played baseball. Baseball was a backdrop for life. We learned about each other in the process. Similar to the Sandlot, I grew up with friends from different backgrounds. We learned at an early age all things were not equal.

The Sandlot was a reflection of changing times. Kids from diverse backgrounds learned to get along on the ball field. It represented what was great about our country. While set in the 60s, we begin to see the role of a "stepfather" regarding parent child relationships. Sometimes, when things get rocky, we rely on our friends for support. In some ways, baseball as a metaphor for life's challenging relationships.

Another part of the story is the large English Mastiff. I remember fondly as a youth that dogs were a part of danger. I encountered many dogs in my youth that made my heart race. Not knowing whether they are friendly or nice was a part of how we learned trust back in the day.

The movie is packaged neatly. At the end of the movie, we learn how things turn out for the boys. One redeeming quality I liked about he ending is that we do hold in our hearts and minds, a special bond for our first friends developed at an early age. This is what my youth was all about. Hopefully my children will have the same experiences.