Ben's Goal

We are so very proud of all our grandchildren. They are sweet, kind, compassionate and lots of fun! They are individuals and each of them have different interests. Caleb, Tyler, Bradley, Ben, and Sunnie all enjoy sports but Ben is the least interested in sports. When he was little he played T-ball and coach pitch but when it came time to play on teams where other kids his own age were pitching he just decided there was no need in letting them "target practice" on him. I thought that was an excellent decision...

Last year when he entered junior high as a seventh grader he decided to play basketball. He had played basketball on the youth leagues for several seasons and enjoyed it. Ben is not aggressive or an extreme athlete he just enjoys basketball. Ben has made it known to players, coaches, family and friends that he has a set a goal for himself. That goal is to make a basket in a game! Word has gotten out and he now has a huge cheering section (like the entire school and all their families.) One night this week in a game Ben got the ball and made a score... the crowd erupted in applause and excitement but the ref said he fouled and the score did not count. Bummer!!

We were unable to be at the game that night but we will not miss another if we can help it. I want to be a witness to this milestone in Ben's life!! A few more facts that make this goal of Ben's so great. Bradley...Ben's brother who is only 14 months older is a sports natural and last year Ben was a bit discouraged with basketball and Bradley bribed him to stay on the team by giving him all of his points on a certain online computer game...(which makes me very proud of big brother Bradley) so Ben took him up on it and stuck with the team all year and even though he did not get much playing time he had a goal. In the last game of the year everyone was yelling "give the ball to Ben". In the end last year Ben did not accomplish his goal but was not discouraged and is playing again this year. His goal is still to make a score in a game!!!! Some players goal may be to score three pointers or steal the ball from opponents or make the most points in a game but Ben just wants to make a score.

Do I sound like a proud grandmother? Well I am very proud and the thing I am the most proud of is that Ben is so well grounded that he can look at his interests, (hey guys the world is not all about sports...) set a realistic goal for himself, and GO FOR IT!! Ben we are so very proud of you...and I have faith that you will succeed in whatever goals you set in the future!

Becky