Scary Times in Sports

When my brother was in high school, he was adamant that he wanted to join the football team. My parents were very worried about that. (Keep in mind, this was back in the early 1970’s.) They had heard in recent years how sometimes an athelete that seems to be in perfect health sometimes suffers a massive cardiac arrest in the middle of the field, and dies before ever making it to the hospital! Sure, the schools insisted on each of the kids getting a medical clearance before playing, but at that point in time, they did not even do any kind of diagnostic testing to make sure that the kids did not have any weird heart conditions that had been overlooked by previous physicals.

Times certainly have changed since then! There are entire businesses, such as Wimbledon Heath Partners, that are dedicated to sports medicine. Not just how to fix injuries once they happen, but to run tests to make sure that weird genetic conditions don’t raise their ugly heads in the middle of practice, or a competition. Sports medicine has come a very long way. I am interested to keep seeing whatever happens in the near future regarding American football and concussions. I know that new helmets have been designed, but I have a feeling that American football might just start suffer from this very serious hazard. I think that fewer parents will be giving permission for their kids to play it in school, and that will eventually lead to fewer professionals down the road.

As for my brother, well, he did join the football team, but he came down with mono during the school year, and ended up benched for most of the football season. That broke his heart, but I think that my parents were secretly relieved that he did not spend a lot of time on the field!

School Starts

School starts on the third of September for my youngest son. He has been bored all summer except when their band was playing shows. This weekend we have to go shop for some jeans and shoes, shirts and such since I swear his arms, legs and actual torso, got longer!! As I look at him, I see one very wiry tall adolescent and realize that my “baby” at 16 is nearly grown up.

I’ve been trying to suggest things for the guys to do, and for the most part they do keep busy but have those moments of boredom.

When school starts, all this will change. My youngest always tries to make the honor roll and loves school work, but is a far cry from being nerdy. This year he of course will run track, and pick up more credits at school. It’s great having a kid that tolerates school and actually tries hard not to miss a day.

To Moms for Easter

We’re all going to my Mom’s house for Easter. We’re going to get there early, so I can help my Mom with anything she needs to have done before everyone else starts to arrive. I’m hoping it doesn’t rain and isn’t cold on Sunday, but that is like hoping to win the lottery. It’s hard telling what it will be like. I actually stopped watching the weather reports because any more they are simply not accurate here.

Mom was telling me about what all she was cooking. Once again she’ll be in her pure element. My family and I love anything she cooks. I’m glad I didn’t buy a ham this week, as she bought a big one and told me that any left overs are going home with me. Okey Dokey Mama…I’ll take em all! 🙂

If it’s nice out, I’m going to try and get some of my family to start a horse shoe game. I loved to play before I lost the strength in my arm. Still, it’s fun to watch my family and friends that show up, play. They are really competitive, in a good way.