My Instead: I went over to my daughter’s house and played street basketball after school with my grandson Tyler, his friend Danny and two of the neighbor kids.
“After school”…I
probably remember this time the most from my childhood. I was always happy to
be back home from school where Mom was. It was a time to go play outside, watch
the Three Stooges on TV, or even start on homework to get it out of the way. It
didn’t matter to me because I was home, my favorite place to be.
The curtain has dropped
on that act though and now my grandson Tyler is on stage. His neighborhood buddies
fill his after school time with all kinds of activities. But I thought it was time
for Grandma to revisit those good ol’ days.
After confirming with my
daughter Robin that Tyler would be home, I worked at warped speed to get to their
house to shoot some hoops before he and his “frother” (friend/brother) Danny had
to leave for basketball practice. Made it! It was a beautiful day and it was time
for the basketball to be done basking. Let’s get it to work and make it do what
it was invented for…swishing through the webbing of the hoop’s net. Tyler and
Danny were all set for a quick game of “donkey”. I suggested using a different word by which to
keep score. How about the word “instead”? We all agreed and the game begin.
While we were making and
missing shots, little Mohammad from two houses down was looking like he wanted
to join us. Tyler and Danny gladly invited him. Then his big brother Ahmad
showed up and another invitation was accepted. We continued with our friendly game
of “instead”, encouraging one another, teasing, and laughing. What a great time
feeling like a kid again! And the “actual” kids had a great time too. It seemed
to be no big deal having a 62-year-old lady there in their midst joining in the
fun. I was just another player to them.
While creating an “after
school” memory (just like 50 years ago), I found the next best thing to heaven on
that autumn day in October.
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