Grasshopper No.3 had a birthday on "Super Bowl Sunday". That doesn't seem fair. Birthdays should be separate and special. I won't say how old he was but he accidently made out a check to Fleet Farm dated Feb. 7, 1964. You know where his mind was.
Your Mom and I had committed to watching Grandsons Mitchell and Grant play one of their league basketball games. Last Saturday was the day. It is obvious that their skills (and size) have improved over time. Grant always gets recognized for his size but Mitchell is the biggest player on his team. I was always "a little guy" in grade school and had to fight to play on the team. Mitchell and Grant get "automatic bids" to be on teams because they are tall. Sh--!
Mitchell's team lost. The other team ran "fast breaks" on offense and made lots of layups. By the time Mitchell's team slowed down the opposition, they had fallen way behind. Mitchell did his part during the comeback. He scored 10 points, got lots of rebounds and finished with a spectacular "3-pointer". He only wanted to talk about that last 3-point shot.
Grant's team is bigger, faster, and well coached. Grant of course is the center. His team has "set plays" that allow other players to cut and slash by using the center as a "hub". Grant scored 10 early points with easy lay ups and jump shots. He probably had potential 10 points that rolled tantalizingly around the rim and fell off. Grant's team won "big".
Time goes fast. Next year Grant is a freshman in high school. He will be competing with many more kids. Somehow I think being 6 foot 3 inches tall will get him on the freshman team. Hell, he might even play "first string".
The Saturday basketball routine took me back to my basketball days when I played junior high basketball. Smelly gymnasiums. Lots of kids shooting basketballs during the time-outs. Games were "helter-skelter" ragged contests with many fouls, double dribbles and kicked balls. Ah yes, it was grand.
My respect goes out to all the parents who provide taxi-service and moral support to the aspiring basketball players. Enjoy the moment! It will end all too soon and you'll wish you could do it again. I think I just explained the dilemma of of life. It goes by all too fast.
I lost a $2.00 bet on the Super Bowl to a Grandchild. I didn't follow my own advice. I picked the Colts so the opposite team always wins. The Saints victory is a good story.
Shovel fast!
Love,
Dad