Sometimes they are good, and sometimes they suck. You decide what this one is...

for Jason Cooper

I suck at contact sports. Well, I suck at all sports, really. My friends from college all know this and can confirm, with strong assertiveness, that I never added value to any of the teams I was on. In fact, one time, when we were playing basketball at a court near my house, I was so bad that they made me sit out. They didn't suggest it, they insisted. I know I am not very coordinated to begin with, but I think a lot of my lack of ability has to do with the fact that, growing up, I never played on an organized team. I don't know if it was a lack of interest on my part, or the fact that my dad wasn't very interested in sports, but I wasn't encouraged to join a team.

Trust me, it's not his fault. If I really wanted to play baseball, or soccer, or basketball at the park district, I am sure my parents would have signed me up. When I was in high school and I started to get serious about weightlifting, my dad would pick me up from school every day, take me to the gym, and then come back and get me a few hours later. This was six days a week until I got my license. We just were not a very big sports oriented family.

I think that may be why I push a little hard for Frederic to go out for organized sports. I want him to at least have the ability play sports with his friends as he gets older. It's a great way to meet people and a great way to stay connected. It's not that I am not connected with my friends. It's just that we don't really go out a shoot hoops, or play a round of golf, play tennis, racquetball, or volleyball together. I wish I could, but I just don't have the ability.

Even though my skills suck, today I participated in a couple of games of swimming pool basketball. And even though I was the only guy whose head could barely reach the top of the pool, I was included. I've written before about the group of people I work with. They have a strong bond with one another, and are not only co-workers, but they are friends. The towns of Zanesville and New Concord (Ohio) are close knit communities. When I come here, we cannot go out anywhere without the people I am with, running into someone they know. These towns are like "Cheers" everywhere you go.

I like that. I like the fact that there are strong bonds. I like the fact that I am slowly becoming part of every one's life and they are a part of mine. I like the fact that Cyndi and the kids hear stories about everyone and feel included, as well.

And even though I suck at sports, I like the fact that I can call my co-workers, friends.