Let me start be stating that I am a lurker, on the fringes of our community and just reading the stories and comments. This forum is a great place to get the real news, and see there is hope for us now and in the future. Why am I writing this story? Part of it is venting, part is therapy, part is sadness, but the main reason is hope. If you like please read below the orange squiggly line.
(My experience and background- I played/started on my high school basketball team, coached elementary/travel teams, and played college football- so I do have knowledge of the game)
My youngest son (high school junior) was trying out for the varsity basketball team. He is my shortest (only 5'10") son (God great sense of humor at work) not a great leaper or super fast, but knows the game, shoots the lights out and loves the game- one day will make a great basketball coach. Anyway, he played for a poorly coached freshman and junior varsity basketball teams- each try out he made the team but last guy picked and had to work his hardest just to get playing time. However, when he did play the team did well and he did well.
Anyway, for this upcoming tryouts he attended every unofficial work out session during the off season, we paid for a tutor, he took speed improvement lessons, and I took him to every pick game or recreational league around town. I know it would be close decision due to his size and previous label- great kid, hard worker, but not the fastest and small (he grow 9 inches during the past two years).
So decision day was last night, and guess what he did not make the team. He and another good kid were cut. As any good parent, it broke my heart and made me feel terrible- I would really have this happen to me. However, I know the game and the kids trying out, and guess what he should not have been cut- he is not the best but better than some others they kept. So how do I response to my son that just encountered his first big letdown and major life lesson- angry, fear, sadness, denial, call coach and berate him.
Well, I told him things happen in life that are beyond our control, sometimes someone makes a poor decision without any knowledge or experience that may negatively impact you. In these types of situations, you need to get yourself up and move on. Besides, I told him if he made the team, his playing time would be very limited and he would have been a scout team player for the next few years. Now he can go focus on other things; playing in the city wide recreational league sponsored by our Catholic church, and keep playing in the parish league with men. By the way, he is averaging about 24 points a game and we are undefeated due to his play.
The most important thing I told him- I am so proud of him for giving it his all and at least trying to make the team because the effort is what counts even though the results did not play out like we would have wanted. Finally, I told him that I love him and I am his number one fan.
In the grand scheme of things, this is not a major event or terrible story. But this is life, things happen we do not like or that our beyond our control. Guess what, how we react and adapt to these things determines how well we will our lives. So remember there is always hope, and we will keep fighting the fight because that is life, and no matter what happens at least we tried our best.
Thank you for listening (or reading) my story it helped me and I hope it brighten your day a little bit. Please forgive me for any grammar or punctuation issues.