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Lesson learned
202 St. Edward's Hall
University of Notre Dame
South Bend, Indiana
Mr. Patrick O'Farrell
12 Lowell Road
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
February 9, 1935
Dear Dad,
I suppose I'm glad I took your advice and returned to school for the spring semester. I guess there really wasn't anything I could do to help Mom get better, and here at Notre Dame there is much more to occupy my mind than there would be back home.
Thank you for calling me last night and letting me know Mom had one of her "good days." It sounds like her doctors are much more positive about her chances for recovery than they were only a week ago. I suppose it's too early to know exactly what they mean by "recovery," isn't it?
I'm trying my best to get over the anger I feel at the idiot who caused the accident. I still wish, deep down, that I could get my hands on him and teach him what pain is all about. I know that isn't the right thing to think, but I still can't help it. Confession helps, but only for a while, and then I'm thinking about ripping the guy's head off again.
We've started throwing in the gym now, and my arm is feeling good and strong. Coach Kline told me that there's a good chance I could make the starting rotation this year, and the new curve ball grip Uncle Joe told me about has really started to work well for me.
I guess there will always be a part of me that wonders how I'd be doing in professional baseball. But at the same time, I enjoy playing football, and playing for Coach Layden here at Notre Dame is unbelievably exciting. When I'm finished here, I will have my college degree, and it won't be too late for me for a professional career--in baseball or in football--if I'm good enough for it.
I've kept the promise I made to you about drinking, Dad. I can't say it's been easy, but I haven't touched any alcohol since I've been back at Notre Dame. I know I was drinking too much, and I was lucky that it didn't cause any more trouble for me than it did. I'm only sorry that I had to learn my lesson the way I did.
Give Mom a big hug and a kiss for me, and tell Mary Kate, John, and Bill that I am looking forward to seeing all of them in the stands here at Notre Dame this spring!
Love, your son,
Mike
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