It's the Hoopy Little Things
There was a moment a few months ago when Alexis uttered the words, "It's more fun to cheer from the sidelines than it is to play."
Oof.
OOF.
Those are words that have most definitely never emerged from my mouth. Yet, I kept quiet because Miss Alexis is her own person. She's following a path that I don't always understand, but it's a fantastic little path paved with glitter and sparkle and all of the things that make Alexis happy.
Part of that glittery path includes being quite the fashionista -- even when Alexis is headed to basketball practice. It was like cheerleading and basketball were thrown into a snowglobe together and all shook up. Cheer shorts wound up on Alexis' bottom, a basketball shirt covered her top, and the giant cheer bow polished off the look. Even her accessories were a blend of cheer and basketball. School spirit exploded all over her little self. And it was adorable. Of course.
But through a misunderstanding regarding schedules, Alexis ended up missing practice. There were tears. So many tears. Tears for miles because the little girl who would rather stand on the sidelines and cheer sure was sad when she didn't get a chance to play basketball for an hour.
It's a good thing Santa brought that basketball goal. Since the weather broke, the goal went up. It temporarily sits on our patio at an awkward angle and a weird height, but it's there.
Hour after hour, Alexis shot hoops this weekend.
And hour after hour.
I spent nearly every second of her hoop time watching through the window. Every time she would catch me watching, Alexis would look up, grin, and wave before returning back to the game.
I thought that was the highlight of my weekend, frankly. That little acknowledgement was golden.
But then it got better. Then, even as the sun was beginning to set, the neighbor kids followed the sound of a bouncing ball and joined Alexis shooting hoops on the patio. Laughter floated everywhere and smiles were plenty.
Even if Alexis does decide the sidelines are where she wants to be, that moment was worth it all.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Reader Comments (3)
I coach junior olympic volleyball. Last night, I talked to my team and eventually asked them why they were there. A collegiate player was helping me with practice. I know she plays for her college despite a relationship with her collegiate coach that is anything but cheerful, in fact, she despises him. I told my team that. Then, I asked HER why she plays. She gave the perfect answer without thinking. She said, I love it. I looked at them and asked them the question and they all agreed.
I then told them, I agree as well. My playing days are over and I'm old enough that my coaching days could be past and no one would question me walking away. Along with the love of the game, it is the "ah ha" moments I cannot leave. It is when I see them grasp the concept and begin to use it in competition. It is those smiles and those laughs that keep me coming back.
What they do not realize is, I do not have a child of my own, but every kid that has ever played for me, is my kid. They will always be my kid. Those who played for me years ago, realize this. Many of them are my friends on Facebook and other social media. It makes for an interesting dichotomy in my timeline and my generational friends are often amused at the comments my kids leave for me.
It is those smiles and laughs that I remember. I have coached for a long time. I do not remember individual wins and losses but I am quick to share a story where we laughed and cried because something had an emotional impact.
Thanks for sharing!
Go Golden Flashes!
I have a 7 and 4 year old and we are looking to purchase a hoop soon -- based on the amount of time you have used it, would you recommend this one?
i love that she knows at her age that she has a right to change her mind. fantastic!