The "Basketball Decision"

One of the major decision that we were struggling with has to do with Beautiful playing basketball this year.  Another one...we aren't talking about yet:)

This decision has kept me up sleepless too many nights and has made Beautiful nauseated with fears and "what ifs."

Basketball has been a part of her life since 5th grade.  She is a great athlete, naturally gifted to understand plays and tall to boot.  She definitely did NOT get her ability to do so from me.  I was always picked last for teams for very good reason...

We are not those parents who insist on our children playing sports.  Forcing them into things they don't want to do (except cleaning up after themselves, doing their school, you know what I mean).

But to decide if Beautiful should stop playing basketball?  Ugg...it was very hard.

Our family does not see basketball just as being a sport.  For us it is community.  In our home school world basketball is our socialization, it is our time to connect with like minded people, it is our way to learn about serving community and teamwork.  It is not as much about the actual basketball - although watching Beautiful play makes my heart sing and when they win...I am so proud of her and of the team (and when they lose;).  To lose out on all of those things a year before she is graduated wrenches my heart.

Beautiful has always had great stats and is a force on the team.  To not have her on the team would be...very sad for the team and a lot of people for a lot of different reasons.  And sad for our whole family for a lot of different reasons.

But...Beautiful sprained her knees her first year playing on the home school team and despite braces and chiropractic intervention they only hurt her worse.  This summer we consulted with a Physician and 2 Physical Therapists as well as got her an MRI.  She is presently in physical therapy 2 - 3 times a week.  She just physically can't do it.

My husband, Beautiful, and I are quite scared of the potential backlash.  My husband and I know that parents will understand, but Beautiful is terrified of her team mates reactions to the point that she is constantly nauseated.  Because this isn't just about basketball...this is about community.  About connection with people we have come to love.  About serving one another and teamwork.  About friendships.  She feels like she is letting many people down.  Her father and I also feel like we are letting people down.  It is a hard decision to make, to know what is best for your child but knowing that will upset the greater circle of "family."

But, the decision is made.  We have peace about the decision.  We know it is best for her and we need to make that the priority.  Beautiful will not be playing basketball this season, her Senior year of high school...but boy will we miss the connections and community of the team and families.