Good Neighbors

You know sometimes I do feel bad that I do not stop and take the time to encourage every talent or love my children have. But I am often reminded of my dad talking about growing up and how hard he had to work to have the things he wanted (and those things were clothes and necessities). He worked so very hard to put himself through college. His parents sold their cows to send his older brother to college and had nothing to help my dad. I listen to those stories and I feel bad for my father. Yet I have have heard him say, time and time again, that he really feels he was successful because he had to work to be. He had to work to go to college and it meant so much to him. He worked to move up through the paper industry sometimes taking jobs that didn't seem to be a ring up the ladder, yet they all collectively built his future. I listen to him and I see the man he is today and it really helps me at moments of frustration over the understanding that I do not have a cape and I am not a super hero! I'm just me. But, I do know that if someone really wants something in life they will work for it...they will earn it!

I say all that to preface Scott's story tonight....

Our neighbors are great golfers. The both love golf. One is a teacher at the high school and perhaps now or in the past was a golf coach (I am pretty sure that's right?). Either way today they were working with a big golf tournament that Scott was at when they told Scott a story they found a little unbelievable...

Micheal plays golf in the backyard, well he hits the ball around with a club Stuart gave him. Apparently the neighbors talked to him in the field (their house backs up to our field) and found out that he just had one ball. They told Scott they could not believe that he would play with only one ball! So they gave him a little bucket of balls. Today they talked to Scott about encouraging him to play golf.

Scott and I laughed a little as Scott told me, "You play with only one ball if you only have one ball." Micheal has never complained or asked for more. I think he was happy to have one. Now he has many. I doubt that Scott or I can encourage him to play harder than he was already playing:) True, anyone who chases one ball around loves to play.

I am somewhat reminded of my dad. If I handed all my kids all the newest "tools" of every sport I don't think they would find near the enjoyment as they do "finding" them on their own. Certainly Michael found golf through watching and older brother and deciding to check it out himself. No matter the inspiration, Michael now has plenty of balls to hit around. Thank you neighbors:)