It's all in the family... *updated*

Life in a Nutshell

...sports, that is.

Lest you think I am certifiably crazy all on my own, this post will help to explain the pull I feel when viewing an empty field, a lone soccer ball, and a goal.

My Dad was an All-American soccer player for Hofstra University back in the day. In fact, he still holds two records...most goals in a season, and most points in a season. When he and my mom went back for a visit to prepare for his induction into their "Wall of Fame" the athletic staff kept saying, "this is THE (nutmeg's dad)????" Well, not exactly "nutmeg's dad"" but, well, he likes his privacy... :)

Oh, and he was also All-American in baseball, and for academics too. Oh, and he tried out for the US olympic soccer team. No, I am not making this up!

Isn't this all just so very cool?

My Dad was also an awesome coach. He pushed his players, but not overboard. He made them laugh when they needed to, and inspired them when they needed it, and kicked them in the behinds when they needed it. He was a father figure to many besides just us kids. I think he misses that sometimes.

This weekend, he and my brother will travel to Hofstra for this induction into the "Wall of Fame" and my Dad will hate all the praise, but love all the reunions that will go with it. And my brother will glow with pride at his amazing Dad.

And I will be jealous, and want to be there too.

Yes, sports runs deep in our family. To me, a game is an event, something to be shared. Whether it is my brother's game, my kids' games, or my own...or a hockey game on TV! It is something to share and experience as a family.

I am very grateful for many things my parents' gave me, (my Faith, most especially!) but one aspect of my upbringing that I am also grateful for that may easily get overlooked, is my love and appreciation of sports. It helps me bond with my boys, it gives me an outlet for stress, it brings back warm memories of my childhood. Many afternoons were spent with my Dad outside as we played baseball, soccer, or football. Many more stories were told at the dinner table from his games as coach or mine as player.....

To me, sports is yet another way to connect as a family.

*My mom just informed me that my love of sports goes back farther than just my Dad. (and NY uncles, and therefore cousins....but that's a longer story!) Turns out, my maternal Grandfather is in the Providence College Hall of Fame for basketball (from the 1940's!) and is also in the Springfield College Hall of Fame for coaching.

Very cool.*