Upward Basketball

The Upward Basketball season has come to an end. It has been a fun winter sport. The end-of-season events filled our past week and week-end.

Jersey #1's team had an end-of-season pizza party. The coach delighted his team by painting his head green.

There was also an end-of-season ceremony to attend. The program our children participate in is a ministry of a local church. Since their sanctuary is not large enough to hold all of the participants and their families, they held 2 separate-but-identical ceremonies....one for the girls and one for the boys. Since Jersey #2 is playing on a co-ed team, her team was invited to the boys celebration. That meant that our family got to attend both award ceremonies.

The ceremonies were 2 hours long. Each. There was only a 1 hour break in between. That made for a long day! Plus, Jersey #2's team held their end-of-season pizza party in the fellowship hall of the church immediately after the ceremony. We spent over 6 hours at that church that day. It was a fun, full, and tiring day.

In addition to recognizing the teams, coaches, referees, and coordinators, there was an inspirational guest speaker, prize give-aways, and some messy games. At one point, some of the coaches tossed prizes of Upward gear into the air, in the direction of the kids.

Jersey #3 happened to catch a prize. He was thrilled to open it and find a basketball jersey just for him. It is a jersey from last year, but he is excited that he finally has a jersey of his own.

Jersey #3 is not the only one anxiously waiting to be old enough to play sports. Jersey #4 was standing on the pew following all the motions of the cheerleaders during their performance. She was adorable. Many parents commented to me afterward, that I have a future cheerleader on my hands. Jersey #5 was drawn to the registration table for the upcoming flag football season. He managed to look cute enough (and demanding enough) that one of the event coordinators let him hold the mini football he was so attracted to. She explained that this was the way to capture their interest when they are young. I didn't have the heart to tell her that Jersey #3 has been asking to play football since he was 3, and we have to still hold him off another year until he is kindergarten age. So, I wasn't really wanting Jersey #5 to start a football obsession this young. He has a long way to go before he is old enough to play.

Jersey #2 and Jersey #1 were both thrilled with the end-of-season gifts given to each of the players. Last year, they received a really nice lunch bag with the Upward logo on it. This year, they received Upward backpacks. The colors match this year's uniform colors.

I received a phone call on Sunday, from one of the Upward coordinators at the location where my kids play. A man in her Sunday school class was friends with Jersey #2's assistant coach, and added her name to their prayer list. He knew she would be having open-heart surgery in May. He did not remember her name. The Upward coordinator was so moved, she called the assistant coach to find out who the player was, then called me. She asked that I keep her informed of Jersey #2's progress, and offered her church as an extended family to help us with prayers, and even meals, or whatever we needed. I promised her I would be in touch with the surgery details as soon as I receive them, and I thanked her for her prayers. It really means a lot to us that so many folks are lifting up Jersey #2 in prayer to God. I am very impressed that this children's sports ministry of this local church, reaches out to the players and their families like this. It speaks volumes about the love of Christ in their hearts.