Sports as the game of Life...

Tonight was a wonderful night! Why? I attended my first CCA basketball game! What's funny is that Mason, our seventh grader, has been at Covenant since kindergarten. William and the "big" boys have cheered on our team in the past, but I had my first experience tonight.

Something else that struck me was on how many levels I was affected by being at the game tonight. First of all, Ethan escorted me (okay, he begged me to take him) and this sports-loving kid LOVES his cougars, no matter the sport they're playing. And although our "date" was very sweet as he held my hand and allowed me many hugs, the head-rubbing "nuggie" he gave me after the cougars scored brought me to reality that he is not quite the savvy man that his father is. By the way, we won the game, giving high-fives in celebration of the rest of the points.

Next, I reminisced about watching the Dallas Mavericks late at night when the twins were newborns and how basketball games became a way to survive the endless days that continued into and throughout the nights for many months. Some of you may remember when we played late into the summer as the Mavs went into the playoffs that year. Whew! Now days, we watch professional basketball earlier in the evening, or I usually fall asleep before the first half finishes. Let me strongly assert that as much as Ethan loves sports, I LOVE sleep. Let's face it, I have a lot of ZZZZ's coming to me.

Happily leaving behind the past and those sleepless nights, my eyes almost focused when I visualized a future scene of Ethan running up and down this very court working with his team to score points. What an optimistic future to see where my children might continue to grow healthy in the nurturing environment at Covenant. This week was homecoming which at CCA represents when former students come "home" for a visit. Giving me a motherly twinge of what a hopeful future holds, the alumni surrounded us as CCA recognized and honored them at half time. Like I said, Mason is a seventh grader but wasn't he just in kindergarten? All too fast the time has flown and continues to fly at warp speed.

By far the deepest level was when I identified with the coach of each team. Both men had the same job; both did it differently. Both men had to finish the game and both hoped to win it. HMMM. But interestingly enough, the truth of it was that it all depended on how well these five kids worked together as a team and how well each one remembered what his coach had taught him. Each player's position was crucial to the success of the team with not one player being less or more important than the other.

Here I am, the mother of 5 children. We're all on the same team,in the same family; although, each player has a different position and job. Believe me that as coach of the Rumuly 7, I want to win the game! But no matter the outcome, I am required to finish the game at the very least. And interestingly enough, the truth is that it all depends on how well these five kids work together as a team and how well each one remembers what his coach has taught him. Remember, each player's position is crucial to the success of the team with not one player being less or more important than the other. Clearly my job as coach is tough! Between coordinating each member for the team's functionality and remaining consistent in the lessons of each player's job, I as coach must encourage, discipline and demonstrate. The coach must work towards winning through practice everyday.

Well. Then I started thinking about the score-keeper. This guy recorded the fouls and the points of the entire game. He received reports from the referees detailing the activities on the court. Sometimes the coaches did not like the calls made by the Officials. Oh Boy - Understatement! As coach, I also get angry at the "ref" like when the call is Rett Syndrome or Tethered Cord Syndrome. Man! But truthfully, no one faults the guy keeping score. I can't fault Him either.

As much as tonight's basketball game impressed upon me on so many different levels, I know that every team wins in sports as the game of Life. What? Yeah. Even the angry coach who make tons of mistakes can win by giving away her anger and asking for forgiveness for failing. Cool thing is in this game, Life, the scorekeeper, Jesus, wipes away the fouls and adds up the points giving every coach a winning team even if the coach loses.

So that was my evening at the basketball game. How profound sports, as the game of Life, can be! Ha! Game over for tonight; I hope. It's past the coach's bedtime. Have a happy weekend. M&R7