Basketball Love

I finally started playing basketball again. It's been a loooooong time.  I've had some pretty valid reasons for NOT playing over the past several years, in spite of how much I enjoy the sport.  For one thing, we've moved around a lot.  This makes owning a basketball hoop an issue.  Most of the homes we've lived in for the past 5 years haven't been conducive to either a portable or mounted hoop. Second, I've been busy having and caring for babies for the past 6 years. Third, I've had foot problems for the last 3 years, which made wearing anything but sandals quite painful.  Pretty compelling excuses if you ask me.

If I REALLY wanted to, I could have found ways to play, so I guess I didn't REALLY want to play. I just kind-of-wanted to play.  And let me be up front: for me, "play" means "shoot around by myself."  And I am quite content with that.  If I actually tried to play competitively, I would probably pull a muscle or sprain my ankle within minutes.  Eventually I hope to be in good enough shape that I could play competitively if I wanted, but I'm trying to be realistic here and start small.

Back to my story...
This week was particularly stressful for a few different reasons, and yesterday I got to the point where I sent Matt an email in the afternoon that said, "Just to let you know, I really need to get out this evening."  I rarely do this, and Matt knew it meant I was at the end of my rope.  Being the wonderful husband that he is, Matt actually left work EARLY to come home -even though I never expected it of him.  When he walked in the door he handed me his car keys and said (nicely), "See you later."  What a guy, what a treat! And in the nick of time. =)

I hadn't planned out where I was going or what I would do.  The last time this same thing happened I drove to Barnes and Noble and read parenting books for awhile.  Ridiculous, I know. (I should insert that I didn't do this to relax, it's just how desperate I felt at the moment!)  This time, I drove to the sporting good store and bought myself a women's basketball.

It was a great feeling.  Like I was awakening a part of me that had been comatose for a very long time. I came right back home, and was recharged enough to make it through the evening.  When the kids were in bed, I pulled out my basketball shoes from senior year -of high school, that is- and then fitted my new orthotics into the insoles.  I guess times have changed a bit for me. (Read: I'm getting old.)  Then I grabbed my ball and headed over to the neighborhood elementary school to spend some time shooting around on the 9 foot hoops.

What fun.  I even made a few baskets! I am planning to head back early tomorrow morning.  Looking forward to it.