Perspective

When I was in the third grade, I won the hoop shoot contest. It was truly a miracle. I shot "granny style" and managed to sink 10 of 20 shots. Not remarkable, but enough to send me to the shootout up the hill. I was thrilled. It was my basketball debut (and interestingly enough, my last real attempt at the sport).

The day of the shootout came, and my family piled into our '56 Ford--four across the front seat, ready for the world. Ready, that is, until we got half way up the hill, and our pickup ceased to function. My mom tells me it was a tire, but I swear I remember smoke billowing out from under the hood. The smoke makes it seem so much more dramatic, but I'm probably mixing memories...

We headed back to town and got the old rig fixed up, then headed out again. Needless to say, we arrived late. They were still shooting, but my group had finished, and I was informed that by no means would I be allowed to compete. Game over, as it were.

My heart was broken. I was devastated. I had missed the opportunity of a lifetime. When I think of it now, I realize I was probably saved from no small amount of humiliation. I doubt if I could have repeated my 10 for 20 record (which at this shootout, wouldn't have made me a contender), and I'm pretty sure several of the boys would have snickered when I pulled out the ol' granny shot. Still, at the time, it was the most important event of my life.

Monday evening, Emily had her own hoop shoot in the form of Missoula Children's Theater tryouts. And, you guessed it, she didn't get a part. I thought I understood how she felt--after all, I had forever lost a career as a star basketball player (I might mention that I'm 5'4" here for emphasis) because I missed the hoop shoot. She could have been the next Hannah Montana, or whatever her real name is. But no. Those college students couldn't see her talent.

I joke, but my heart goes out to my sweet little Em. She didn't go to tryouts on a whim: she's been planning on it since school started. She LOVES the productions and longs to be involved. She has done two so far, and last night she informed me that they are her "favorite thing about school." Ouch.

I think we all have our hoop shoots...missed opportunities that seem so grand, so life changing at the time. I know I had my share of disappointments, like any kid. What I wasn't prepared for is how painful her disappointments would be for me. It's like I'm standing there with tears in my eyes, pleading to do my granny shot all over again. Poor little Sis. How do I give her the perspective that only years can bring?