OK. Confession time. Ever since I was a skinny, small, uncoordinated kid who got beat up routinely in grammar school at lunchtime, and was NEVER picked to play on the teams during "gym class," I've envied the other guys. Not because they were cooler or anything (though certainly in high school they had a HUGE advantage with the ladies,) but because I just wanted to PLAY the games. I grew up with a dad who LOVED football. We watched college games on TV Saturday mornings while he cooked us breakfast (mom's day off from the kitchen.) Alas, he was taken from us at age 41 after cancer surgery on his stomach basically killed him. My grandma moved in to help raise us. She was a Brooklyn Dodger fan from childhood and brought her obsession were her beloved bums to LA along with Jackie Robinson. Needless to say, little Timmy caught the baseball bug and went out for Little League. Since I was only 7 when dad died, and my big brother was too busy being an all-star to teach me how to play, it was kinda challenging. I played three years in the minors. Never hit the ball out of the infield. Loved getting walked so I could steal a base or two and on a good day maybe even cross home plate. Usually banished to left field, one day was even lucky enough to make a catch that won me the "game ball."
But until two weeks ago, the last time I suited up in a uniform was exactly 40 years ago at age 12 for my last little league game. Dressing in the visitor's locker room at Menlo college for the Luberjacks Football game was a surreal experience. Yesterday we played our first home game of the season. If you were there, it needs no further explanation. Simply an historic comeback not to be forgotten.
So here's my problem; how to focus on graduate level studies this semester in the midst of living my lifelong dream of playing football? It aint easy, sports fans. My mind is so damn focused on improving my kicking, staying healthy, getting in shape, helping my teammates in any way I can--it all seems to matter more than getting that paper written or studying for that exam.
So along with finally feeling what it's like to be a "jock," I also have the added bonus of understanding why so many college student/athletes lose their eligibility because of low grades. It's virtually a full time job playing ball. (Especially when you factor in the post game parties, LOL.)
So we look forward to next week's game. And I'll continue to struggle with homework. But mostly I'll just ENJOY THE JOURNEY.
Dream like you'll live forever. Live like you'll die today.
