When I returned home from work on Tuesday, the boys were outside playing basketball. This actually made me very happy. Bob sometimes has to beg SJ to play with him and it is usually soccer (Bob's favorite, not SJ's). They continued to play for another 15 minutes after I got home. When they came in for dinner, SJ was crying. I asked him what happened. I thought that he and Bob got into an argument (normal brother stuff). However, he was upset about basketball.
Apparently, he had wanted to sign up for basketball, but never told either my husband or myself about it. He was crying so hard. He was almost inconsolable. It took me more than 10 minutes to get the whole story from SJ. From what I gathered, there was Open Gym that day after school for those interested in basketball. He was to sign up a few weeks earlier, but he forgot to bring the forms home. He didn't go to Open Gym, because I didn't give him a permission slip (can't give a slip for something that you know nothing about).
I told him I would investigate this basketball situation later. My husband was out of town, I had a bad day at work and I had received not so great news about my dad's illness. The basketball situation was not high on my priority list. After I ate dinner, I called my friend whose son plays basketball. She gave me some information, but I needed to talk to someone at the school. Problem was the school was closed until tomorrow morning.
First thing the next morning, I called his middle school and talked to the receptionist. She said sign ups were a few weeks earlier, but she wasn't sure if it was still too late to sign up. She gave me a name of the teacher in charge of the basketball program. I sent him an email explaining the situation. He got back to me right away. He said that they would love to him. He reminded me that he would need to get a school physical to play hoops and gave me the name of the 8th grade coach. He suggested that I email him and the school nurse.
I called the school nurse to ask about the forms. She said she would find SJ and have him bring them home. After I was done speaking to her, I emailed the 8th grade coach, Mr. Hooper. He emailed me back saying to get the forms from the nurse. He also added that he would love to have him on the team. I asked him if he could attend the next Open Gym without the physical. He said he is welcome to attend the Open Gym sessions without the forms. He just needs them for the first day of practice. He reminded me that there would be two more Open Gym sessions. I thanked him and called my husband to give him the good news.
Yesterday after school, he stayed for the Open Gym session. I had Topher's mom ride him home, because I knew I would not make it. He seemed very happy when I got home. I asked him how practice went. He said, "Fun, but sweaty. I will need to take a water bottle to practice." That was a good sign. He is thinking ahead.
That night, Mr. Hooper sent me an email to see how SJ liked practice. That was so nice and thoughtful of him. I asked him how he did. He said he did well for not playing before. He also told me that the other kids did an excellent job making him feel welcome. "So glad to hear," I responded.
Before I went to bed, I went to talk to SJ for a few minutes. I reminded him that he is just to have fun and not to take it too serious. I also told him, "Remember, there is no crying in basketball." He said, "I know, Mom." Hopefully, he is matured enough now that he will adhere to that when he gets frustrated. Always hoping for that.
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