The Cycle of Life

Life sure is strange. The cycles that we go through are amazing (if we’re blessed with a long enough life to experience them).

First our children believe that we know everything. They’ll ask us about anything and everything – and hopefully we’re not like Calvin’s (Calvin and Hobbes) dad and make up ludicrous answers. Hopefully we provide them with good information. Then as they get older, they decide we must know absolutely nothing. Then, sometimes, if we haven’t totally alienated them, they realize we may know some useful information. And then in their memories, when we’ve passed, they may come to realize we were actually pretty wise.

Another cycle I’m experiencing with my older children (with the span between the oldest and youngest – I get to do everything twice) is that when they were young…I was happy to watch them try anything. It gave my heart joy to watch them attempt things. Especially to compete. Then as they became accomplished at the activity (sports mostly) I was even impressed with them. They did some amazing stuff! I bought a new video camera to capture it so I could replay it again and again! They in turn would attend some of my sporting events and be amazed at dad. Then as they got older, I was still impressed with them while they slowly decided that dad was too old to play anything well. So of course, I had to prove myself. I offered them $10 for any time they beat me at a 1-on-1 sport (or game). Ping pong, tennis, basketball, volleyball (granted this is hard to play 1-on-1, chess, etc. So far I’ve had to pay Alyssa for chess and Kristopher for Ping Pong. I still haven’t lost to Kristopher in Basketball (although he SHOULD win).

So, it was with a happy heart that recently I earned my kids’ respect and admiration (?) without having to beat them. We played in the YMCA coed volleyball league – Kristopher, Alyssa, me, and three others we are friends with (all girls). Well, Kristopher, being 6’4 is “supposed” to be awesome, right? When he blocks it’s a thing of beauty…especially when he’s reaching 3 feet into the opponent’s court. Alyssa isn’t supposed to be able to hit on a “men’s” size net…but hey – she did! And she served great (as did Kristopher). She also set well when needed and was great on defense. Kristopher had some momentous shots and they both served their share of aces.

But, wait, the cycle I wanted to talk about was when they noticed dad.

So, I’m old. Granted. I’m slower. Granted. I don’t jump as high. Granted. But hey, sometimes, God grants us the ability to remember our younger days.

On the first serve of the championship match (the other team sported three guys, three girls. One of the girls was 6’1 and a was a former Varsity player for Michigan State Volleyball), Kristopher served a hard topspin. The former varsity player attempted to pass it but it rebounded off her platform too far and too high, right toward our side of the court. Since I was front row, and I was actually well focused – I leaped at the perfect time, and crushed the overpass back into the opponents court. Inside the 10’ line. Two of their players closed their eyes and were rewarded with the ball missing them. It bounced off the floor and then back close to the ceiling. Definitely and great start to the match. My team was pumped! They cheered. They slapped my back. But the best part was my 20 year old daughter who looked a little shocked. She said, “I’m on this side of the net, and that scared me!”

There is no joy like that of impressing your kids.