Saturday, February 16, 2008
Basketball Inspiration
So due to my previous monster cold that lasted over 2 weeks and sucked almost all the fun out of those days, this post is a little late, but deserving of awesome mention nevertheless. A week ago today EJ played in her very first basketball game! Why is this such a huge event, you ask? Well, for those of us with multiple children we all tend to have those who simply excel at everything they touch with very little effort, and those children who never seem to find their special niche. The type of child who tries several things, but never seems to excel. Life just doesn't come easily for this child and it doesn't help to have siblings who never struggle with issues such as finding a best friend or having an activity all your own where your parents & siblings come for the purpose of nothing but cheering on YOU.
A few weeks ago EJ came home from school and told me they were putting together a new 5th grade girls basketball team and she really wanted to try it. I of course said yes and she instantly fell in love with the game. This wasn't like the many times she's tried soccer and other various activities simply because she was desperate to have an activity of her own whether or not she really loved doing it. No, this was true enjoyment for basketball. IK and LA have both played soccer for many years, which of course delights my heart to no end, since that was my sport of choice way back when in the stone ages known as my middle and high school years. And now SD was secretly joyous over EJ's choice to play his favorite sport and finally have one of our children involved in his favorite game. (Of course it was a cruel irony that SD had to work on the day of her first games, but such is life).
The games were scheduled VERY early on Sat. morning, and it didn't help that I had been out late with IK on a fun date the night before. But I managed to get the whole crew up, dressed, and on time for EJ's game. She put on a team t-shirt when we arrived that was at least 5 sizes too big for her and as always, she was the smallest child on ANY of the teams there. I heard several parent comments from the bleachers as she played saying, "look how little she is," in cute tones of adoration for her tiny size and big spirit because EJ didn't let her tiny size intimidate her actions at all.
A few weeks ago EJ came home from school and told me they were putting together a new 5th grade girls basketball team and she really wanted to try it. I of course said yes and she instantly fell in love with the game. This wasn't like the many times she's tried soccer and other various activities simply because she was desperate to have an activity of her own whether or not she really loved doing it. No, this was true enjoyment for basketball. IK and LA have both played soccer for many years, which of course delights my heart to no end, since that was my sport of choice way back when in the stone ages known as my middle and high school years. And now SD was secretly joyous over EJ's choice to play his favorite sport and finally have one of our children involved in his favorite game. (Of course it was a cruel irony that SD had to work on the day of her first games, but such is life).
The games were scheduled VERY early on Sat. morning, and it didn't help that I had been out late with IK on a fun date the night before. But I managed to get the whole crew up, dressed, and on time for EJ's game. She put on a team t-shirt when we arrived that was at least 5 sizes too big for her and as always, she was the smallest child on ANY of the teams there. I heard several parent comments from the bleachers as she played saying, "look how little she is," in cute tones of adoration for her tiny size and big spirit because EJ didn't let her tiny size intimidate her actions at all.
I sat in the bleachers with IK, LA, and KW, listening to IK and LA comment at how incredibly boring they thought this sport was in comparison to soccer and watching KW climb all over the place. Of course both IK and LA completely understood that, boring though it was for them, that EJ had watched numerous soccer games for both of them and that their purpose at her game was to show their support and cheer her on regardless, so they never said anything negative while EJ was around and simply praised her for playing a great game.
As I sat there watching her play I couldn't help but feel a huge lump begin to well up in my throat as I watched EJ play her position and realize how much this day meant to her. It was so much more than a game, it was an opportunity for us to cheer her on...only EJ, just EJ, for once this was her turn to shine and have her family there to cheer her on. She was so elated by the end of the game, so of course we had to celebrate with a big breakfast at M*Donalds where we took the time to go inside and let the kids play on the jungle gym for a very long time.
To the ordinary person, this wouldn't have looked like much more than your average elementary school basketball game, but for EJ this meant so much more! I can't wait for her next game, and this time SD will also get to cheer her on! I love my sweet pea, EJ!
As I sat there watching her play I couldn't help but feel a huge lump begin to well up in my throat as I watched EJ play her position and realize how much this day meant to her. It was so much more than a game, it was an opportunity for us to cheer her on...only EJ, just EJ, for once this was her turn to shine and have her family there to cheer her on. She was so elated by the end of the game, so of course we had to celebrate with a big breakfast at M*Donalds where we took the time to go inside and let the kids play on the jungle gym for a very long time.
To the ordinary person, this wouldn't have looked like much more than your average elementary school basketball game, but for EJ this meant so much more! I can't wait for her next game, and this time SD will also get to cheer her on! I love my sweet pea, EJ!
No comments:
Post a Comment