NBA Basketball is a big hit around the house these days - even my wife is paying attention. This is what happens when you have kids who really gets into something: the parents, sometimes willingly, other times by default, do the same. Or at least they're aware of the surroundings.
In a four-paragraph autobiography he wrote for this 3rd grade class, my 9-year old revealed that he wants to be an NBA player when he grows up; playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Hornets or the Heat. While I'll admit that the hometown Hornets coming in second was a bit of a head-scratcher, I understand his passion for the Thunder: it revolves around their star player, Kevin Durant.
This past week, Durant received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. And as nice as it was to see it go to someone not named LeBron, it was also nice to see it go to an inherently good guy. His 20+-minute acceptance speech was very little about himself and more about all the people surrounding him who helped him get where he is today. He thanked each of his teammates by name and said a little something about them that was more than a simple recognition - it showed the depth of his relationship with them and his heartfelt appreciation (and if you have time you really should watch it HERE).
All of this, though, was more than topped by the recipient of his final thanks: his mother. We're used to seeing athletes offer up the obligatory, "Hi Mom!" as they score the winning touchdown or hit the final shot, but this was something else entirely. It was from the depths of his heart; it was raw and unfiltered. It was emotional for him and his mother, and it was emotional for everyone watching. If you missed it, you can watch it below (or, if you don't see it, click HERE).
I pride myself on being able to express through the written or spoken word what is on my heart, but I also recognize when someone else has done it better. So on this Mother's Day weekend, and to both the Mom who raised me and to the mother of my two boys:
What he said.
In a four-paragraph autobiography he wrote for this 3rd grade class, my 9-year old revealed that he wants to be an NBA player when he grows up; playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Hornets or the Heat. While I'll admit that the hometown Hornets coming in second was a bit of a head-scratcher, I understand his passion for the Thunder: it revolves around their star player, Kevin Durant.
This past week, Durant received the NBA Most Valuable Player Award. And as nice as it was to see it go to someone not named LeBron, it was also nice to see it go to an inherently good guy. His 20+-minute acceptance speech was very little about himself and more about all the people surrounding him who helped him get where he is today. He thanked each of his teammates by name and said a little something about them that was more than a simple recognition - it showed the depth of his relationship with them and his heartfelt appreciation (and if you have time you really should watch it HERE).
All of this, though, was more than topped by the recipient of his final thanks: his mother. We're used to seeing athletes offer up the obligatory, "Hi Mom!" as they score the winning touchdown or hit the final shot, but this was something else entirely. It was from the depths of his heart; it was raw and unfiltered. It was emotional for him and his mother, and it was emotional for everyone watching. If you missed it, you can watch it below (or, if you don't see it, click HERE).
I pride myself on being able to express through the written or spoken word what is on my heart, but I also recognize when someone else has done it better. So on this Mother's Day weekend, and to both the Mom who raised me and to the mother of my two boys:
What he said.
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