Do you always have to be number one at everything???
Once again today I am leaning new things about myself through a parenting experience. Almost 13 years ago I brought this precious baby boy home from the hospital with no users manual!!! Everyday since has been a learning experience and all the things I worried about struggling with as a parent have been a breeze...it's all the unexpected stuff that has me in a lurch some days.
I have a 7th grade boy who is an amazing person...
I bet that everyone one out there with a kid or kids can relate to this phrase. But when I say this, it isn't to boast. I am blessed. I am a single mom, my ex-husband is within 30 minutes of us, but has little involvement in Jordan's life (his choice.) In spite of that, my son has a heart of gold, loves people, would do anything for anyone and excels in what he does. He happens to be the top trombone player in the seventh grade in the Honors Band at his middle school, he is well on his way to earning his Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts and loves basketball.
So what's the problem???
Every morning this week I have had my son at school at 6:30am for basketball tryouts. All last weekend he was in a basketball clinic. I have spent five years in the bleachers in a gym watching him play in the Spurs Youth basketball league and I have shot hoops in the driveway with him since he was old enough to pick up a ball. Today was the announcements for team placement on tryouts. My kid is not Michael Jordan (even though he shares the name) but I felt confident that he would make the "B" team. They have "A" team which is the best of the best and plays in tournaments and all games. Then they have "B" team which plays all games but not tournaments. They had so many kids trying out this year for basketball that they opted to form a "C" team who will play two other schools who are forming "C" teams and then play against the other in school teams.
Jordan texted me to tell me he was put on "C" Team...
At first I was crushed. I haven't talked to him about it yet, but I imagine he is okay with it, because he will just be happy to get to wear the uniform and play. I was almost crying this morning and my mom who always puts things into perspective, reminded me that my son is the top trombone player in the 7th grade...et al...
I remembered my prayer for Jordan about the basketball tryouts..."Lord, please place Jordan where YOU want him to be." God always has a plan and often times we let our egos get in the way of what he is trying to do through us. My son has been put into a place where he can use his leadership skills and have an opportunity to improve his skills at the same time. He has a chance to be an example and to learn from the best. Who am I to interfere with his destiny because of some misplaced ego trip to have a kid who is number one at everything.
It makes me wonder...
How many cool experiences and relationships have I missed out on because I was pushing too hard to make things perfect in my little world and failed to see the bigger picture and allow myself to be a part of something bigger than myself? Tonight when I get home, I will hug my son and celebrate his accomplishment and start looking at how this can be a positive experience for him. I was once told that Michael Jordan was cut from his middle school basketball team...hmmmm...perchance to dream???
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