To Infinity… and the Fairway

My son is two, and lately, it feels like he’s growing by the hour. His new favorite companion? Buzz Lightyear. They are inseparable. He makes him fly with a perfect little “whoosh,” makes him jump, and when Buzz belts out “To infinity and beyond!”, he proudly shouts it back. They’ve been through battles, adventures, naps, and snack breaks together. Buzz has officially earned his spot in the inner circle.

Today, after another long stretch of Buzz-led play, my son spotted a ball on the lawn. It was the kind of moment where I thought I knew what was coming, he’d run up and kick it, or maybe chase it down. But instead, he did something that made me laugh out loud.

He grabbed Buzz, held him like a golf club, and swung.

That playground ball rolled halfway across the yard, and my son ran after it, ready for the next shot. All I could say was, “Everything finds its way back to golf… just like Daddy.”

I watched him, this tiny mix of wonder and imagination, blending superheroes and sports without thinking twice. It hit me that play is how we pass things down. Not just the games we love, but the rhythm of our days, the things that make us who we are. Maybe it’s not surprising that in our house, even Buzz Lightyear ends up on the green.

Because around here, even “to infinity and beyond” eventually circles back to home.