Even if you don’t shine on every one of life’s playing fields, you just might sparkle at others.
Courtesy of Sarah Shrader
While we have been knee deep in spring sports with track ending recently for Bubba and softball still in full swing for Reagan, it was a nice change this week when my girls got to attend basketball camp. After the first day, I couldn’t wait to get off work and hear how it went. After all, basketball is my sport of choice.
Barely making it off the ball field after Reagan’s softball game that evening, I was drilling the girls with questions. How did it go? How did you do? What did you do? What did you learn?
Reagan piped up first, full of pride as she had won two small awards on the first day – one for making the most lay-ups and one for hustling. Her eyes lit up as she talked about it and my heart was so happy to hear the love in her voice for the sport that I love.
Maylie was up next. She started with how the super athletic girls in her grade won all those awards but that she did have fun. She was excited about the experience and glad she was doing it.
Then, she went on to tell me about one of her friends who was super bummed. Apparently, her friend hadn’t made many shots that day – and neither had Maylie. Pulling her friend to the side, Maylie told her that she used to be really hard on herself too. She told her that she also wanted to be perfect, but that she learned that she wasn’t always going to be the best at sports and that’s okay. The most important thing is that she was having fun. And if she was having fun, then it didn’t matter if she made the most shots or not.
My Maylie is a fantastic singer. She can dance until the sun comes up. She can spell more words than I can, reads books that are well above her grade level and has a heart that gives love fiercely. She has many, many talents. But she was not gifted with the natural ability to just pick up sports.
On the other hand, Reagan, the younger sister, has been able to pick up just about any sport and figure it out. She has the drive, athleticism, focus and passion for sports – especially basketball and softball – both of which Reagan has played on a travel team. Maylie has not.
And well, noticing this difference pretty early on in my babies, I have had to learn, as a parent, to juggle it – and it honestly has not always been the easiest. Maylie has questioned why she wasn’t asked on travel teams or upset when Reagan was picked before her on pick-up games when she was older than Reagan. That’s a hard pill to swallow for an older sister.
In an effort to save Maylie’s self-esteem, I typically remind her of all of her talents – the things she is naturally good at – and let her know that God blessed us all with different gifts. Usually, I can build her up and encourage her to keep doing all the things she may not be the best at if she is enjoying them. Having fun, while still learning and growing, is so important as a kid. Maybe Reagan will be better at some things, but Maylie is better at others – and that is more than okay.
So, when I heard about my girls first day of basketball camp, and how each girl did – in their own words – and what they were most excited about, my mama heart almost burst with pride. Reagan went out there and did her thing – what she just naturally has and can do. And I was so proud of her for hustling and working hard.
But Maylie went out there and did her thing too – she saw a friend in need, opened up her big heart to the situation and shared her positive mindset on the sport that she is not the greatest at but that she has fun doing.
Both girls put forth their best effort in two completely different ways on that first day of camp – and while maybe only one was recognized at camp for their efforts, I certainly recognized the strength and growth of my sweet Maylie in the pep talk she delivered to her friend.
While, at the time of writing this, they both still have two days of camp left to continue pursuing awards and doing great things, I firmly believe that no matter what happens the rest of basketball camp, both of my girls, in my opinion, certainly crushed it on day one.
Sarah (Pitson) Shrader was born and raised in Lima. She is a Lima Central Catholic and Tiffin University graduate. Sarah is a full-time working mama who enjoys writing about her somewhat crazy, always adventurous life as a mother. She lives in Bath Township with her daughters and writing inspirations, Maylie and Reagan.
