The Way The Cookie Crumbles and The Ball Bounces

The title comes from what I have heard my mother say for years. I am going to deal with the "ball bouncing" portion. A little over 16 years ago I gave birth to a beautiful boy. When I looked at my child I knew that I wanted him to be educated and responsible. I wanted him to grow up and make our family proud. He exceeds that.

My son plays both high school basketball and AAU basketball. Our lives have been infused with the sport of his choice. You often hear about parents wanting their children to be well-known athletes or cheerleaders and going to great expense for their child's name to be popular. I never desired that. I don't like a lot of attention. I simply wanted a well-disciplined and educated child.

Well, I got more than that. My son is so many wonderful things. I have seen his name mentioned in different media formats. People often stop me, at games and other functions, and tell me how nice and well-mannered my son is. Often it takes me by surprise that so many people feel that way about him.

Being a parent of an athlete is a huge sacrifice. During our two week winter break he has had only one day off from practice. Which means that I am taking him to practice and making sure he has a way home. Once home he collapses after eating and trying to spend time with his younger brother, who looks up to him so dearly.

When my son decided that he wanted to strictly play basketball I knew that during the season he would be obligated to his academics and his sport. I make sure that he attends church too, got keep him grounded.

Last night his school played their first home game and we had a nice group out to see him play. My cousins, my girlfriends, my nieces, my nephew, and childhood friends all came out to support him. My cousin and childhood friend had not seen him play at this level. We had a ball. By the time we came home we were so exhausted.

We had to get up this morning for practice at 10:00a.m and boy were we looking like zombies. New Year's Eve and I am off to the gym. I can't even figure out what we will eat today. Talk about sacrifice. That is just the way the cookie crumbles and the ball bounces.

Lindar