Man, I miss you Coach…

I grew up in a very competitive sports-oriented city, neighborhood, and family... I can still see my Dad sitting in the bleachers during a High School varsity basketball tournament game. After missing 3 shots and feeling completely discouraged, I looked to him for guidance. He responded by pointing his finger at me, and then squeezing two fingers on his nose, as if to say, ‘You- STINK! No, he wasn’t heartless. No, that gesture was an act of kindness and made from well-thought-out insiders’ knowledge. You see, I was so nervous that I had lost all composure. But having coached me in baseball since I was 5 years old, he knew exactly what buttons to push, to piss me off- so I could settle down and attack in my usual manner… And, it worked, because I immediately flipped a switch and ended up scoring over 30 points. My Dad was the consummate strategist. He knew exactly how to get me to [That Place] where ‘I did not care’, for, that’s when I performed at my best. This was just 1 of 1000 different ways he ‘Leveled the Playing Field’ for me throughout my life- WOW! How blessed I was…

  P.S. Just reminiscing about my Best Friend, from the Look-Out Post…RIP Dad.