Monday, February 13, 2012

Notes from the Bleachers: How Watching My Grandchildren's Sports Inspires my Writing

The weekends are always busy at our home. This past weekend was no exception. On Saturday, my grandson had a 6 p.m. basketball game, and my granddaughter had a 9:30 p.m. indoor soccer game.

We drove about 30 miles from St. Charles County up north to our grandson's 7th grade basketball game in Lincoln County. 

Michael is the tall one on the left wearing the All Saints gold and blue uniform. He's easy to pick out in a crowd--as his pediatrician puts it: if Michael were in a room with 10,000 boys all born on his birthdate, he would be taller than 9,985 of them--and he's still growing, with his expected height to be 6'4" or possibly taller.


Back to the game. At the end of the first quarter, All Saints led 18-0. By the end of second quarter, they were ahead 26-0. 

When the other team scored their first basket during the third quarter, parents and fans from both teams cheered and continued to cheer whenever they scored. Even though the boys on the other team must've known they couldn't overcome such a huge lead, true to their school's name (Sacred Heart) they had heart. Their boys did not give up. Neither did ours. They were gracious winners, in spite of the lopsided 46-8 win.

My granddaughter's late-night game was a different story. Cari's team was behind 2-0 near the end of the game then scored their first goal. With less than ten seconds left they scored their second goal and tied 2-2. Her team didn't give up either and were determined to press on. They changed their strategy and switched players. Her team didn't win, but they tied the game in the last few seconds.

What watching my grandchildren's games taught me about writing is: never give up and work hard until the last word is written on the page--oh, and keep revising until I get it right. Even when I get a rejection, it doesn't mean to stop writing. And when something isn't working, I need to try something different. Whether you passion is sports or writing, never give up.

Guess I better get busy and get back to writing; Cari has another soccer game later this evening that I don't want to miss.

20 comments:

  1. Do you scream through a megaphone when the kids are playing? I thought I saw one in your car the other day and wondered what it was for, now I know.:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Lou,
    Busted. ;-(
    Actually the megaphone is to keep some of the rowdy ones, especially the "boys" in line during Tuesday critique group.
    If the snow lets up I'll see you there tomorrow.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  3. Super attitude, DonnA. Thanks for sharing, for keeping the rest of us pumped up with your wisdom!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Claudia,
    Thanks for being so sweet.

    Have you gotten any snow in your part of the state today? It's coming down hard right now. Looks pretty, but I don't want to be out driving in it.

    Bet the grandkiddos will have a snow day tomorrow.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah...the boys of winter. I love to watch a school basketball game when I know the kids who are playing. I see a different side of them than I do in the classroom. And I don't mean the knobby knees and sharp elbows. It's nice to see some excel on the court, even though book-learnin' is not their strong point.

    We were out of school today, and have already been called off for Tuesday. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good analogy! I used to watch my daughter's swim meets and sons' hockey games and get all sorts of ideas. I also learned a lot about myself - and how loud I could cheer. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Donna with a megaphone? I would pay big money to see that...

    I loved watching my kids' games, and am sorry those days are gone. Soon, my grand will be big enough "and the seasons, they go 'round and 'round..." (Joni Mitchell) and I'll be able to watch Riley.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Val,
    It is good to watch them excel and have fun!

    Hi Karen,
    Some times I embarrass myself cheering.

    Hi Sioux,
    Aw. Come on now. I'm not all that shy.

    Riley will be out there playing sports before you know it.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  9. I get a lot out of watching my kids' game. It's an uplifting experience.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi Walt,
    You are right; it is an uplifting experience--win, lose, or tie.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  11. You hit it right on! I am always saying we should never give up, though lately the thought has entered my mind a few times.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I like the bit about if something is working, try something new. It's so easy to get stuck in a rut!

    Hmm, maybe I need to get a megaphone...for me to use on myself! Both to cheer myself on and to shout myself into doing something. :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Okay. that was supposed to be if something ISN'T working. Sigh. It's going to be one of those days, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Janet,
    Keep on keeping on, even when things aren't looking great!

    Hi Madeline,
    You are so right. I try not to get stuck in those ruts.

    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  15. Donna, this is such a good analogy for writing. Some days I have the spunk of the winning team, but other days I slink around, especially when half the time, editors don't even send a rejection slip anymore.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Linda,
    I agree; it is frustrating when editors don't respond at all.
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great advice and I try hard never to give up even though I feel like it more times than I want to admit!

    ReplyDelete
  18. What fun! Attending youth sporting events is so much more meaningful than any professional game could ever be.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pat,
      How true! The enthusiasm and passion are palpable.
      Donna

      Delete

Mysteries of the Ozarks, Volume V - Interviews with Lonnie Whitaker and Dr. Barri Bumgarner

Here is the second installment of interviews with contributors who have stories in Mysteries of the Ozarks, Volume V , from Ozark Writers, I...