As the Ball Turns

Yes, I know, it's a corny title. But it feels pretty accurate around here. With 3 boys, I guess it is a given that our life will revolve around some kind of ball or other.

Basketball has replaced soccer. I've been sitting in on practices for several weeks now and still, I feel clueless. I wish someone would write a manual for moms. Seriously. What's a stack or over the top, or up and back or in the lane??

This past Saturday was the first game. Actually, I should tell you, this is the first time their school has had enough interest to form a team. Naturally, no one is expecting great things. After all, other teams have been playing for years and have players that actually participate on travel teams. Some of our kids (including mine) have never played basketball in any environment before.

So in all my wisdom and knowledge (heh-hem), I gave him a little encouragement speech before the game that went something like this.

"You know, today's game is going to be pretty tough. You guys probably don't stand a chance."

"Mom--"

"No, really. I'm just saying. You don't have the kind of players that some of these other teams have, and that's O.K. You all are working really hard."

"Mom--"

"Look, I just don't want you to get your hopes up that you are going to walk in there and come back out with a win. Just do your best."

"Mom--"

"I know. You all want to do well because your school's girls team won the championship and you'd like to do the same for your principal. But you need to go in with realistic expectations."

"Mom. How can you say that? We don't have any good players?"

"I didn't say that. I just said--"

"How do you know that? Who told you we didn't stand a chance?"

"Another mom--who knows these things."

"Who?"

"Just another mom, O.K.?" How did I get myself in this spot??

He shook his head at me and walked away.

Wow. On a scale of 1-10, I'd say that speech rated a -5. Remind me to keep my big mough closed next time.



So, how did our team do, you ask??











We won.

We actually won by a score of 36 to 16. After the game my son simply graced me with a shake of his head.

I think I'll keep my pep talks to my self and concentrate on what in the world all those hand signals were the ref's kept making.