Tonight, I Watched You, Coach

0

tonight i watched you coach

Tonight, I watched my 8 year old son play his heart out at his basketball game. I watched as he sprinted up and down the court. I watched him play defense and make some steals. I watched him drive the ball into the basket. I watched him shoot what felt like 100 baskets.

I watched him miss them all.

Tonight, I also watched you, Coach. I watched you yelling at him – guiding him, motivating him to run faster, dribble stronger, box out, grab the ball. I watched you teaching him little things to play better. I watched you just as disappointed his shots weren’t going in. I watched you praise him on his strong drive, and brave shot. I watched you hope the next one went in.

And then it happened. He made a basket!

I watched him as he jogged back on defense. His eyes on his man, his arms ready to defend, but his chest was puffed out with pride and that cute smug smile.

I watched you, Coach, with a proud smile, you yelled “Way to go, buddy!” when that shot finally went in. The one he’d worked so hard to make.

Tonight, as I watched, something changed in him. I have you to thank. Sure, he was disappointed he wasn’t making his shots. Yesterday, he may have stopped sprinting down the court, he may have stopped guarding his man with everything he had, feeling sorry for himself. But tonight, the disappointment motivated him. Tonight it clicked, he realized you have to work harder to be better. He forgot for 20 minutes that he’s a timid, sensitive kid.

He was there to play ball. He was going to work harder. To be better. You did that.

Thank you. Thank you for sticking with him.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here