I grew up with an athletic family. My Dad played both high school and college football. My brothers played football, basketball, baseball etc… My sister ran track. When I was little my mind said "You can be gymnast or a figure skater". My body said "You will be a basketball/volleyball /tennis/or track athlete". I LOVED watching the Olympics and still do. I love competition (my friends and family find this as no surprise). When I graduated from CU, I had a degree in secondary teaching and health and physical education. I took up in a suburb of Seattle coaching freshman basketball at 5:30am and varsity volleyball (after school). I would get nervous before the games just realizing that however the girls played, it would become a direct reflection on me. If they had a cat fight in the locker room about boys, it could change the outcome of the game. I survived with hard work and planning and trying to work with whatever was handed to me. This was pre-recruiting and scouting. I once had a 6'1" freshman who had never touched volleyball. She made the team…there was no "not making the team". It was my job to teach her the sport and incorporate her into the team. My last year with the volleyball team we made it to semi's at state. The year after I left, they won state. Every year for 20 years, I have exchanged Christmas cards with the other varsity coach. I love sports.
The problem comes when I am watching a team I REALLY care about: The CU BUFFS, the BRONCOS, and ThunderRidge GRIZZLIES. I get nervous…I want to run out on the court and (in my own mind) win the game, catch the ball, score! I think I am more mellow with high school sports because God gave me 2 boys who, for many years, couldn't care less about sports. I don't think Dave has ever sat in front of the TV with one of his boys and watched a whole game (until this year). I am blessed to have 2 drummers! They play their hearts out during the games and win or lose, they all go home happy. No stress, no yelling at refs, no getting upset over a missed note! It is awesome… Now back to the BUFFS and BRONCOS. Every Sunday I retreat to my bedroom with a book. I shut the door thereby shutting out surround sound and possible boos and cheers. You see, I can't watch! I get the clicker in hand and occasionally flip the TV on and check the score. Last night I was reading a book when I realized the Broncos had gone from being ahead to OT. Dave wanted someone to join him in the excitement, but I just COULDN"T do it. I kept reading and praying that they would somehow pull out a win. Once I heard the cheers from downstairs, I was anxious to see all of the replays and join in the celebration!! I don't know if I am the ONLY one like this. I have a feeling my older brother is the same. We have been known to pace the Denver Coliseum during volleyball state championships ( for my athletic nieces), peaking thru the tunnel openings to check the scores…out of stress…or hope…of somehow wanting to alter the outcome. Last night I realized that, for those of us in Denver, it was our Superbowl. We were the underdogs in a major way. We were up against the #1 defense in the league. It feels like we "won the season"…changed the minds of the doubters…gave some of us hope. Does anybody find it interesting that Tebow had 316 yards? John 3:16 has been a mainstay poster at NFL games for years. Also, captured from several separate locations, was a halo over Invesco Field (Bing it). Whether I watch the games or not really doesn't matter, but maybe next Saturday I will crawl out from under the covers and watch another miracle!
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