Basketball

November 16, 2019

Dear Emily,

Today is Saturday – that means junior-pro basketball day!  You are eight years old and this is your first attempt at playing organized basketball.  Watching you play is so much fun.  You have played soccer, and you have been a junior-pro cheerleader (both team sports), but you are displaying so much more energy and enthusiasm for basketball.  You are doing great!

I have always been a little critical of those parents and grandparents who attempt to relive their younger athletic days vicariously through their offspring, but here I am, cheering you on and feeling a little jealous that I can’t be out there with you, learning the sport all over again.  When I was your age, there wasn’t a “junior-pro” league to join.  I practiced on dirt in the backyard at home shooting at a goal that my daddy had nailed to an old door and affixed to two posts.  It was definitely not regulation height, but I would get out there in the afternoon after school and practice shooting at that goal.  The first time I got to “try out” for a team was when I was in the 7^th Grade!  I don’t remember much about it except that I must have really enjoyed it – I played for six years.  Mama and Daddy were at every game I ever played – or sat the bench – and I’ll be there for you.  Count on it!

Even more important, your daddy is your basketball coach.  At the first game, you stepped out of bounds and threw the ball in to a teammate every time it was necessary.  When I asked you why you did that, you said, “Daddy told me to.”  At eight years old, you really don’t understand how special that is – but believe me when I tell you – someday, you will look back and know how blessed you are.  Someday, you will be telling your own children about junior-pro basketball, all the fun you had and all the friends you made, and that will be the moment when you will realize that the most special memory about this time is the security and love of having your daddy as your coach.  You are learning to trust his basketball “smarts” and his wisdom and to trust his guidance and advice.  It’s a great game plan for a happy and successful life Emily – always trust Daddy.

Love,

BB