Well, both kids passed me quite handily on their shooting charts. It doesn’t hurt that they have had me as a rebounder. (how can I resist a “mom, can you come out and shoot with me, please?”) It doesn’t even bother me that I end up rebounding. In fact, I enjoy it. I didn’t realize starting the Peace.Love.Basketball Shooting Challenge would bring me even closer to my kids.
I wasn’t sure they would want to do the Challenge. But Cass ran out to the hoop the first day, shooting 40 shots before we walked to school. Charli knew about the PLB Shooting Challenge but she didn’t really say much, other than briefly commenting about having her picture on the small handout I was making about the Shooting Challenge. A comment that was as difficult to read as her opinion on the Challenge itself. I was preparing for, “I don’t really want to do it mom.” And had decided not to push. I’ve seen way to much of that in my years of coaching and I’ve seen what it can do to girls and their love of the game. “Sonya you’ll have to ‘let it go’ if Charli doesn’t feel like doing the Challenge” I told myself.
Yesterday Charli asked, “Hey, why don’t I have a shooting chart taped on the wall for me?”
“I didn’t know if you wanted one.” I said, dropping the last dirty fork into the dishwasher.
“Yes, I want a chart.” she said grabbing a ball and heading to the court.
I smiled as I filled the dishwasher with soap and closed the door.
Never mind that she shot in her bare feet the first day. Never mind that she decided to go with shots taken, not shots made. She’s out there shooting, having fun. And better yet, part of the time, I’ve been out there with her. I’ve been keeping quiet and keeping it fun. Well, maybe I’ve let out an occasional “don’t forget to square your shoulders to the hoop,” how could I not. But I’m staying quiet enough that she’s smiling and now she has passed me by about 300 shots. I’ve got some work to do tomorrow…
