August 8, 2004

     My daughter will be playing her last CT Starters AAU basketball game soon. I've been suddenly struck by the emotion of it all, that as her AAU playing days are coming to an end, she and we, are leaving something special, a community we have been a part of, and that has been a part of us for several years.
     Through middle school travel teams, AAU, and high school, we have met and shared many enjoyable sports experiences with our daughter and her teammates and opponents and with other parents from surrounding towns who have played with or against us. These are kids who I am not going to get to watch play anymore, and who I'm going to miss sharing their exploits. There's something about sports that makes us more connected than with business associates or fellow social club members.
     We've crossed paths at games, of course, and camps and tournaments and championship games we've attended with our girls, and early morning check outs in many hotels. We follow each other's daughters through the sports sections during the HS season and keep each other updated on their college plans, boyfriends and injuries, and these people have been my friends; people I like and with whom I share a common interest, and kids who are super athletes and just plain wonderful young women.
     We have had the opportunity to meet some great Starters coaches, who have taught our daughters so much about the game of basketball, but even more about the game of life.
     We both remember the great and near great players over the years and laugh over memories of last-minute shots, forgotten sneakers/uniforms, bad referees, bad directions and crabby waitresses we've had. The seasons have flown by, but we remember every tick of the clock our daughters are in the game. Each away game now, is a trip I sadly make for the last time.
     Those memories will not be forgotten by me and I hope the impact of it all, that these have been the best of times for our girls, and probably for us, will not be lost on our daughters. I want to thank these friends of mine for some great memories and to let them know I wish them well in their lives and will sorely miss our time together.