The Cheering Section

At my daughter's recent basketball game, the star was playing with a 102 degree fever, the center had been feeling sick all day, and for whatever reason, Michelle was a bit sluggish.

I noticed she was running slower than usual, and her reactions were a bit delayed, but it still bothered me when a man a few rows down started yelling “Michelle!! Get the lead out!” I wondered who this man was and what made him think he could yell at my daughter.

And that wasn’t the only thing he said. He had other corrections for her as well. She should have gotten the rebound, she should have stolen the ball, her passing should have been better, etc., etc. I noticed Michelle glancing up at him while she played and I grew irritated with his yelling.

Then I noticed something else. He wasn’t the only one yelling at her. There were others who would yell, “Good job, Michelle!” when she scored. There was a group of men at the top of the bleachers yelling to the ref to watch the throwing elbows of the girl guarding my daughter, and there were those who would yell, “Nice try, Michelle!” when she would attempt to steal the ball and fail, or shoot a free throw and miss.

I realized that with just a few exceptions, I didn’t know any of these people.

It struck me how people I didn’t even know were cheering for Michelle by name, offering suggestions on how to improve, and buoying her up when she failed. I began to think about all the school teachers she has had, all the coaches, friends, and church leaders who have cheered her along from the bleachers of her life, and I wondered how many others there were who I had never known.

And my heart swelled with gratitude for their love and concern.

Then, in my mind, I saw numberless people beyond the veil, watching, prodding, and cheering. I could hear them say, “Come on Michelle, get the lead out!”, “You can do it, Michelle”, and “Good job! That’s the way!”

And tears welled up in my eyes.

How grateful I am to know that through out the day, there are many people, some I know, and many I don’t, some on this side of the veil, and some on the other, who want to see my daughter succeed and are cheering her on.

How grateful I am for cheering sections!

You Know Basketball Reigns Supreme When . .

My first date with my husband was to a basketball game. In fact, when I was asked out, I was given a choice of three different nights he was available, but the activity for all three would be basketball. His brother was a high school basketball coach at the time and playing in a tournament so that was Wes' activity of choice.

It should have been a warning to me of what the future would bring. But I was so smitten after just one date (I don't remember much about the game, but I do remember our fun conversation afterwards) that I didn't pay attention to the warning signs.

After we were married he ditched me on the night we had planned to decorate our first Christmas tree to go to a college basketball game with some family members. And on another occasion, very early in our marriage, he even stood me up on Valentine's for basketball. (He has since repented--numerous times --for that one.)

Over the years I came to understand that it really wasn't his fault. It was genetic. His three brothers are just the same. All four boys in his family love to play the game, they all love to watch it and two have coached professionally, with one currently being a coach of a college team.

So I guess it shouldn't have been surprising when my niece recently announced she was moving up her wedding date to coincide with her uncle's basketball game. Apparently Ken's college team will be in Phoenix early January to play Grand Canyon University. So Riki thought, "What better day to get married?" The wedding will be in the morning. A luncheon will follow and instead of a wedding reception at night, everyone is invited to attend the basketball game!! Of course! It makes perfect sense, right?