It seems we all need a reminder - let yourself be a champion

I see so many wonderful stories via social media of work that people are doing to help each other out through prayers, money, a hug, a kind word.  Some of these people have never met face to face and some never will; some see each other everyday, or once a week, a month...

Life is so very short and we are all in it together.  Yesterday I wrote about the kiddo and his team, how they could teach us to be Champions for each other.  Today, I listened to the song again as I worked and thought I would post the lyrics.  Maybe it will help just one person to realize the champion they are, or that they can be if they only let themselves.

Yeah, You could be the greatest
You can be the best
You can be the king kong banging on your chest
You can beat the world
You can win the war
You can talk to God, go banging on his door (yeah)

You can throw your hands up
You can beat the clock
You can move a mountain
You can break rocks
You can be a master

Don't wait for luck
Dedicate yourself and you could find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame (yeah)

You can go the distance
You can run the mile
You can walk straight through hell with a smile
You can be the hero
You can get the gold
Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke

Do it for your people
Do it for your pride
Never gonna know if you never even try
Do it for your country
Do it for you name
Cause there's gonna be a day

When you're standing in the hall of fame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
Cause you burn with the brightest flame (yeah)
And the world's gonna know your name (yeah)
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame (yeah)

Be The Champion 3x

On the walls of the hall of fame

Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers

Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions
Be truth seekers

Be students
Be teachers
Be politicians
Be preachers

Be believers
Be leaders
Be astronauts
Be champions

Standing in the hall of fame
And the world's gonna know your name
Cause you burn with the brightest flame
And the world's gonna know your name
And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame

(You can be a champion)
You could be the greatest
(You can be a champion)
You can be the best
(You can be a champion)
You can be the king kong banging on your chest

(You can be a champion)
You could beat the world
(You can be a championnnn)
You could beat the war
(You can be a champion)
You could talk to God, go banging on his door
(You can be a champion)

You can throw your hands up
(You can be a champion)
You can be the clock
(You can be a champion)
You can move a mountain
(You can be a champion)
You can break rocks

(You can be a champion)
You can be a master
(You can be a champion)
Don't wait for luck
(You can be a champion)

Dedicate yourself and you could find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame 

Learn from the Men from Others (again) - Be a Champion

Tonight ended the basketball season for the kiddo.  It ended without a victory and before the boys wanted, but, it was a great season nonetheless.  The kiddo works for the Varsity team, and tonight, as they were leaving, one of the players called his name and hugged him thanking him for a great season.  That resulted in hugs by the players, shared tears, and shared admiration all around.  This was the end of a long season where these boys fought back to Burn the Boats and end as Tri-District Champs.  The student section drown out the solemn drone of the game clock as it counted down with a chant that we can be heard at many Jesuit games - WE LOVE OUR TEAM.

Earlier this season, as the kiddo and I drove by Baylor stadium, a song came on that always makes me think of him - more on that in a second.  I made it a point to say Baylor Stadium as he got the opportunity to practice there with the football team after they won their game at the Cotton Bowl, another awesome moment.  The Ranger's season ended in Waco, tears, admiration, hugs, and again to the chant from those students who drove to Waco from Dallas - WE LOVE OUR TEAM.

Back to the song.  Every time I hear this song, I think of the kiddo.  He isn't able to play the sports he wants (according to once coach, he is an athlete in his head) but I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to be in the Hall of Fame.  I don't know which one, and it may not be an official Hall of Fame, but a Hall of Fame nonetheless.  Tonight this song is for all these boys, the players & manager - some may never play basketball on an organized team again, some may never know the joy of a winning season or a comeback like these boys did - and the fans - those Men For Others that once again stood by their fellow men and cheered WE LOVE OUR TEAM.

You can be a champion - Kiddo, you WILL be sitting in the Hall of Fame.  We all can learn from these boys...be a champion my friends and remember WE LOVE OUR TEAM!

If you listen to day to day life, you will laugh in spite of yourself!

File Under...Teenage Boys are Mysteries

DPS Tester:  "You wore a tie just for me?"
Kiddo:  "No, I have to manage a game tonight, this is my uniform."
Yes, he put on a tie (and not a polo shirt) for the game on a day when school was cancelled due to ice. This was not because he will have this picture for three years and I cannot force him out of shorts in 40 degree weather normally - just to be clear...

Tall One: "You have your license, you get to drive now!"
Kiddo: "Why would I do that?  You drive just fine - I am a good rider."
What child doesn't want to drive once they have their license?  Mine, and apparently others from the moms I talked too.

File Under...It is always fun around my house

Big Guy: "This is my favorite ice cream."
Me:  "Actually, it's mine - not yours - Pecan Praline.  That is why I bought the littlest one and not a big one to share."
Big Guy: (while eating it) "Oh wait, my favorite is butter pecan.  This is not that. But this does have pecans."
Me: "Ya think?"
I shall be hiding my ice cream, just in case, maybe under frozen veggies.

Me:  "Okay, I don't remember having to look up at you quite so much."
Tall One:  "Maybe you are closer to me.  Or have smaller shoes.  Or you are short.  Or you are shrinking.  That is it, you are shrinking and I am not."
I am not shrinking, but I think I need heels on my slippers.

Me: "Do not eat that chili in that shirt and tie, you will make a mess and that means more work for me."
1 minute later...
Big Guy: "Why are you striping in the kitchen?"
Kiddo: "Food is down here, why would I waste time going upstairs? I am still in boxers, totally allowed."
I have had to make a 'No Nakedity in the downstairs common area' rule - no, this is not a joke.

Part Two - the party never ends!

Me:  "How was your day?"
Kiddo:  "It was good."
Me: "Oh so nothing exciting happened?"
Kiddo: "Well I got to cut down the home net with the team because we are the champs. AND IT WAS AWESOME."
Funny how he drew me in with 'it was good' only to end with how awesome it was...oh, and his part of the net is by his piece of the court.

Me: "Ready for your project?"
Tall One:  "Don't have to be until after school & we better be."
Me: "Um, and will it be?"
Tall One: "Friend gave a great speech to motivate us.  Shawn White practiced for 4 years and failed.  We have only worked for 2 weeks, so if you think about it, even if we fail, we win."
Me: "That is not good logic."
Tall One: "Works for us!"
Teenage boys have such a way with words...oh, and I have no doubt they will pull it out and get an A, they always do somehow!

Whatever you do - don't forget to lift your feet while throwing salt

Last night ended with the kiddo dancing around the house thanking the 'Sweet Lord Baby Jesus' because school was cancelled for today.  I have mentioned before, we are a boy house and, to that end, you never quite know what situation the day might bring.  It is always entertaining to be sure and last night was no exception.

He then went on to explain the four people who determine how school is cancelled and how the story is that if one of the assistant principals cannot walk over a bridge at his house without slipping, school would be cancelled.  This is one of those stories that no one really knows if it is the truth or not - he went on to explain - but the boys all live by it.  I wonder if any pour water on that bridge...nevermind.

Moving on, it got me thinking, what other things do I do that aren't based in truth yet I believe over the years for one reason or another.

1. I always lift my feet when going over railroad tracks (in a vehicle, I don't actually jump over them when walking or running, that would result in me falling and I need no additional reasons to trip and fall, thanks.  Big Joy told me that it was good luck one year and it stuck, I am sure she laughs at me from heaven every time as I drive over them no less than four times a day)
2. I throw salt over my shoulder when I spill it (much to the chagrin of anyone who has to clean it up after me when I forget I am no where near a sink - thanks Bill)
3. I always touch the outside of the plane with my right hand before getting on it (no idea - but I don't mess with it)
4. I wear my sunglasses on my Hot Chocolate hat when I run even if I don't need them (yup, night time runs too)
5. I ask God to bless everyone and everything in the world before I go to bed each night (don't want to leave anyone or anything out)

I am sure the list continues and it was fun to be thinking about it as I drove in this morning, over the railroad tracks, with my feet lifted up.  What do you do?  Let's have some fun on Friday...list them!

Choices

I have had to make choices over the past year that are not always easy, not always fun, and certainly not always popular but they are always mine.

This weekend was AMAZING.  One of those, won't trade it for anything else in the world kind of things.  I got to spend time with my family celebrating life, celebrating boys, celebrating teenage-hood, celebrating mother/son time, celebrating road trip mother/daughter style, just celebrating.  While two very important parts of my family didn't get to take part in the fun, they were there in spirit and, from the stories I heard, had a good time staying home by kicking some rugby arse and chilling football style.

Friday night was all about victory and brotherhood.  As you have read in many of my posts, the Jesuit men never disappoint when it comes to cheering on their brothers on the hardwood.  Friday was no different.

Saturday, road trip, seeing family and surprising the kiddo with a basketball game of 'EPIC' proportions.  Texas rocking the Jayhawks as only the burnt orange can.  The kiddo not only happy to be seen with me in public but actually loving sharing that time with me.  Then getting to spend the evening with Grandma and Pop Pop (even if Duke let the kiddo & his Pop Pop down) as we have done since he was 3 months old.  

Sunday meant a very hilly adventure (thanks hill country of Austin) to the most beautiful little church and an amazing Catholic community.  I wish I lived closer, I would go there every week.  More family and the 'oh my gosh, the world is going to ice over' road trip home.  With mandatory stops in West (kolaches, hello - priorities) and Little Italy (pronounced Eye-Tawl-EE thank you very much), mom & I sang and talked our way back home to the country.  No ice to be found by the way, but I am over the cold.  We live in Texas for goodness sake, not Ohio!  The Super Bowl game was a disappointment for only me as the sole Manning supporter in the house, but having everyone under one roof again was pretty great, I cannot lie.

To have this AMAZING weekend, I made choices on what to miss and what to attend.  While others may not have made those choices, they were the perfect choices for me and I would make them again.  Sometimes, eating the bear means putting you & yours first - and that bear tasted GREAT.