When I read of the April challenge being sponsored by Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 and Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 I was at a loss about offering post. Then reading the submission of another member of the Rain the light bulb went on.
My son was a good basketball player in high school and was on the varsity team his junior year. His coach selected him for a spot in a five-star camp and we gladly sent him to that camp in another state.
The competition was stiff and he was put on a so-so team. What a great choice since he and his other teammates had something to prove and no one being an all-star, teamwork was the only way to success. They also had a coach who knew the odds and coached to get the best from each player to help the team as a whole.
In the first four scrimmage games against the other teams, they won. A very unexpected event. Now comes the fifth game and may son tears his ACL. It is July and his senior year was coming. No more playing basketball but his career was not over.
I asked the coach to allow him to stay with the team in some role. He said he would figure it out. He went to the school board and asked if a student could coach the freshman team? They had no teacher in mind and they said "yes". The freshman team was not very good at the beginning of practice. I learned and my son learned the meaning of patience. He much more than I.
The team evolved and did well. My son learned patience and leadership that he has carried on through his life. Me, as much as I try, I am still a work in progress as many would attest. One thing though, I am very proud of my son and his willingness to serve.
He still has the autographed ball by all members of the team and he graduated high school in 2002. And to this day I am still a proud Dad.
Thanks to Eileen and Nick for the opportunity to share.
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