Originally published between 2011 and 2014, this post has been updated but preserves its original publish date as content is migrated from the archives of The Flavored Word.
I’m lucky I was an athlete. And I am blessed to have children who are also athletes. Not just because of their impending success, but because of their failures. And even more so, I’m lucky for all the friendships made on the field, on the track, on the court—for those friends who carried me through many of my younger years, and the ones who will carry them. The friends who were foes on the field.
“Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.” ~ Jesse Owens
Growing up a competitive athlete, I inevitably also turned into a huge sports fan. OK. Wait. I should clarify, because actually I’m not a big fan of baseball, golf, tennis, car racing or hockey (and don’t even get me started on softball, cycling, or speed walking or GASP!! bass fishing). So really, I suppose it’s more that I’m a fan of good competition—a fan of the fight, if you will. And in the spirit of March Madness, I admit I am loving the close games and have stayed up past my bed time more than once this week.
Why? Because the competition is fierce. And when you watch their faces you understand that it’s far more than a game. Sports—be it football or the steeplechase (or God forbid, bass fishing)—can start a conversation. It can feed Sunday night dinner table talk, Monday morning water cooler conversation and multitudes of “if only” disclaimers across the internet. Sports can keep you up late glued to post-game commentary; can call you from your slumber early in the a.m. for more commentary. Why? Again, because it is more than a game.
Sports can be a friendly yet fervent diversion from the mundane and the games we play, the races we run, the fish we catch (I guess) help us make connections with those we otherwise might not. Sports also allow us to dream about the “what could have been if only” not to mention the “what should have been if only” … and I am a sports fan because I am a fan of life and always, always, giving your heart and soul to anything you believe. So, again, I am lucky to have been an athlete. And I am blessed to have children who are athletes—because through all their victories, all their disappointments, they will learn. And they will cherish these days along with the friends who stand beside them—win, or lose. And that is why all kids should play sports … even if it’s with bait and tackle.
Cover image of, yep, you guess it … my one and only son.
DISCLAIMER: I’m a writer and an editor. And I try my best to make sure every post is articulate and free from errors. However, being that I edit my own work—and it’s next to impossible to properly edit your own work—I admit, occasionally there may be an error or two I miss. But doing so doesn’t make me an idiot so don’t be mean. Just smile, pat yourself on the back for finding an error and be glad you’re not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes … xoxox
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