Its Not Just Basketball

I have long held the belief that lessons learned outside of the classroom are just as important as the lessons learned within. Books serve us well but education is not just something to read about or an equation to figure out.

Education is the learning process, helping our children to "figure it out" and then put into action the things which they learned. We hope we served them well, their educators and parents and our report card, so to speak, is how they use those things we help plant into their brains.

Accomplishments can be measured in many different ways, not just a letter on a grade card. Accomplishments are things our children excel at and those "ah" moments when pieces start to fit together.

Along with 2+2 and ABC's we help to build character in our children equipping them to make good moral choices in life.

So thank you to Papa, Debe, Hannah, Andy, Drew, Eli, Aunt Marsha, Morgan, Tete, Aunt Sam, Uncle Todd, Shelby, Spencer and Sophie -- thanks to all of you for supporting Zach, for understanding how important it is to leave your heart and soul out on the court and look up into the stands and see familiar faces.

Thank you for helping to mold our son, build his character on and off the court.

Thank you for getting it.

Because perhaps one day Zach will be sitting in the stands as a father, an uncle, a cousin or friend. . . . in support of a player out there on the court or field, pouring their heart and soul into a game . . .

And Zach will sit up there in full knowledge of what that feels like, to be down there playing . . hoping to win . . .hearing the crowd . . . . . a crowd that is there for you . . . .

And Zach will recall those lessons of losing, and winning, leading and following, being committed and working hard, making sacrifices and tough choices, being part of a team . . . .

He will remember those days he left his heart and soul out there on the court . . .

Win or loose . . .

And he will realize how those lessons served him well in life. On the court. Off the court.

He will remember . . .

That you were there for him . . .

As he claps . . .

And cheers . . .

And hopes for Victory because after all . . .

Its not just basketball

Notes

When they were younger my children often left me notes on my pillow. I loved them. After reading them, I'd slip them into my night stand drawer. Now years later, whenever I need me a pick-me-up or whenever I'm missing my girls, I pull the notes out and read them. I reminisce about those innocent childhood days. I laugh. I cry.

Here are a few of them exactly how they were written.

Don't let me forget to where my hair silly and don't let me forget my instrument. Please let me sleep as long as I can. I need some cloughs to where. Thank you very much for the lipgloss. Love, Monica

I love you Mom. Thank you for such a great birthday.

Mom,

Please don't forget to turn off my lava lamp because the last time I forgot to tell you it stayed on for 8 hours!!!!!! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!

Mommy,

Please wake me up early to study my spelling words. I love you soooooooooooooooooooooooooo MUCH! Amanda

Dear Mom,

My tummy hurts. But I want you to come to my room just me and you. Also I want my tooth out it is killing me. From, Monica Newsome P.S. I love you to the water tower and back. NOT :) P.S.S. I love you to heavens heaven and back a million times.

Dear Mom,

When are you coming home. Have a safe trip. I love you. DRIVE SAFE! I love you. Zach keeps crying. Make sure you wake me up so I can say by to you. Love, Monica

(this one is in colorful crayons)

39

thirty-nine

more beautiful

kids growing up another year of your life

I love you for another year

Still young

Happy Birthday

I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and that you are the best thing that has happened to me.

Dear Mom,

I just wanted to ask if there was something wrong because you seam very angry and I hope you do not stay angry for long. I hope you have a safe trip to Chicago and home. I LOVE YOU! Love, Monica P.S. Don't stay angry long. XOXOXOXO

Dear Mom,

I love you. I want to know if I can ware shorts tomorrow because I know that it is going to be hot enough and I just want to because I think that by now I should be able to ware shorts. I can't wait to get your camp kern money so I can go shopping Maybe buy my own lipgloss company, It will be called Purple lipgloss for Princesss . . .or something like that but I don't think I will every get tired of purple. My wedding is going to be purple. Love, Monica Ramona Newsome P.S. I love you!!

Dear Mom, I love you very much. I just wanted to say hi. Love, Monica P.S. I love you to the moon and back one thousand times.

(Here's one I saved from Jerry's pillow)

Dear Dady, I thank you for leting me help. I like working with you it is fun. I also like haning out with you. Most Dad's and son's don't have a good reltionship like us. I love you. I LOVE YOU! I love you Dad From, Zach your son

Respect

Mom I said this a thousand times. sometimes People say to get them off your back. Sometimes people mean it. Well this time Mom I mean it. I'm sorry I'm really sorry. I hoped that you will forgive me.

Sometimes I mean to show it but sometimes I don't. I'm sorry when I complain and stomp by feet. Or when you tell me something I indure [ignore]. Or I groan I talk under my breath.

But Mom I don't mean it. You have the right to punish me. sometimes I see it in you when your tired. You want some rest. Like you would want a big vacation. You deserve one. I see it you came home from a long day at work.

Most people rest after that but you haft to take the complants [complaints] from me. I never say hi any more. I'm always demanding something. When I don't get my way. I pout and get mad.

All I'm saying is here's your vacation. I will try not to give you a hard time. Thanks for being super Mom. Love, Zach

There are countless more. I love them all!

I love those days. I love my children. They are my heart, my past, my present and my future.

Thank you Amanda, Monica and Zachary for loving me and being such great children. It is my honor to be your Mom.

I love you to the moon and back.