The Power in Sports

Within the past few years my cousins have become very close to my parents (their aunt & uncle) and therefore are at my house..often (to say the least). My cousin, Brandi, has two sons, Jayveon (age 7) and Jordan (age 4). I have a very hard time relating to them, especially Jayveon.
He's at the "learning to become defiant" age (7) where he doesn't want to listen to any one, especially not some girl he barely knows that shows up once every few months because she's away getting an education. He drives me crazy. Daily. And he does not relent. Ever. I'm constantly trying to find ways that I can keep him quiet or busy and just, frankly, out of my hair. I know, I'm not the best human being, okay? I get it. You'll have to excuse me.
Anyway, I have figured out how to connect with him. Over spring break, when I was home, I was trying to catch the MLB spring training games. I just wanted to sit on the couch and actually watch my teams play. Low and behold, Jayveon comes waltzing through the door. I gave a dramatic sigh to express my displeasure with now having to take care of a child that doesn't like the sight of me. He came into the den where I was (all sassy like), and right before he opened his mouth to begin trying to boss me around, he noticed the baseball games on TV and excitedly asked, "are you watching this?" I said yes, of course, and he was quiet. Now none of you know this boy, but for him to be quiet is something so incredible. He slowly walked backwards to sit with me on the couch and watch the games. We watched the spring training games, and then watched some of the NCAA March Madness games, for hours. For the rest of the week, we watched games, played catch in the backyard, and even got a small game going. It was the first time I've ever been able to connect with the child and it was really, just so exciting.
The reason I bring this up is because I'm going home in three days. I'm going to have to get used to seeing this kid every day. This is to remind myself that I can get along with the child. This is also to encourage anyone out there having trouble relating to a child (or peer/elder) that there is always something for you to relate on, whether that be sports or some hobby, there is always something that will break the barrier.