It is hot. Not just a couple of drops of persperation on your upper lip when you get out of the car. No, I mean...sweat running like a river in between two boulders (sly one, aren't I?), throbbing in your temples from the sheer force of heat hitting you when you walk out of the sweet cold air, making you cranky if you have to be out in it longer than walking from car to building (at this moment I am so thankful for my indoor desk job). And it is only June.
The other night was yet another milestone for the Taylors. We have officially ended our long-term relationship with summer sports. About 18 years ago we began this affair with America's favorite pastime, and sadly broke it off just a couple of days ago. When we first signed J up for tee ball at the YMCA we were young parents that were so excited to see our cute little guy out there running to the bases, holding his helmet on with one hand. He continued to play until the summer when he was about 13 or 14, and the politics of "making the team" (also known as- the-dad-is-coach-and-their-kids-and-their-friends-are-the-only-ones-gonna-play-on-this-team) came into play. Although I think his heart was broken (mine was, shouldn't his have been), he decided that he was done with baseball and focused on basketball. Then A started tee ball, and never quite graduated. She became too busy at 2nd base chatting with her little girlfriends or playing with one another's hair to ever love the game. Finally there was H who also began with tee ball and has kept playing until just a few days ago. I state that we are done with summer ball because next year he will be in (gulp, give me a moment) high school and will be playing for the school. They finish soon after school is out...so my summer nights will be opened up to all new possibilities. H is a very good baseball player, and he loves the game. (Since this is my blog, I am allowed to instill the appropriate (or not) amount of pride into what I write about his skills) He mainly plays catcher, but has pitched some (too stressful for me to watch) and used to play a mean first--but catcher is his specialty. The varsity coach at school has already told him he will be the starting catcher for JV next year, and the back-up for varsity. That's cool...pretty neat for a freshman...but not good enough for H. He informed me he is going to work with a local guy (who's team just won state--with him as the catcher) to gather some pointers so that maybe H will be the best catcher in the school and will start for both JV and Varsity. Props to him!!! I am proud that he has a goal to better himself. Keep up the good work kiddo!!!
As this relationship has drawn to a close, there are no cameras in our faces broadcasting every move that we make. There is no drama playing out for others to watch our thirst for attention and fame. (If you feel that I am making a comparison to something else...you're probably right) Nope, there is just a normal (relatively), small family who loves to spend time together putting our children first with their activities...and we didn't even have to schedule a session in make-up or editing. At this time, I think I will sadly go get the chairs out of the back of my van...and put them up. They will be readily waiting for us to join them again next spring...
No comments:
Post a Comment