Basketball. My family LOVES basketball. As a matter of fact, we are moving in two weeks and the biggest concern is getting the TV set up in time for March Madness. My husband is very excited about his Missouri Tigers going deep in the tournament. So at least we know our priority for the move.
This has been an amazing season of basketball in our household. Our son Preston eats, sleeps and breathes basketball. Everyday he can’t wait to get home from school to practice his fadeaway jump shot (thanks Dirk Nowitzki). Our daughter Madison played on her first basketball team, and I must say: the girl was a force to be reckoned with!
A few weeks ago Preston had the game of his life. He had scored 13 of his team’s 20 points, and they were down by one with 9 seconds left. After a mad scramble for the ball, he got it, launched a shot and banked it in with 3 seconds lef to win the game. It was an amazing moment – as a mom I could not have been more proud. To top it off, it was his birthday!
This past weekend a similar scenario played out again for Preston. However it was a very different outcome. Preston’s team was in the second round of their tournament – the winner would go to the championship game. With 3 seconds left and the scored tied, Preston took a shot and once again the crowd went crazy . . . but this time it was the other team going crazy. He missed the shot, and we ended up losing the game by two in overtime. After the game Preston’s demeanor was much different than a couple of weeks ago. Instead of elated rejoicing now I saw Preson completely heartbroken.
Losing is never easy and especially after you’ve hit a game-winning shot a few weeks before. As a parent I ached for Preston knowing how hard this loss was for him and his team. He felt like he had let the team down.
But in a strange way I was a little thankful because isn’t this life? Life is full of highs and lows and learning how to deal with disappointment is a great way to build character. Life’s disappointments provide an open door to teach our children. I just pray I take advantage of every moment.
All the same, I would rather have won.