A Sports Mom

Sports moms get a bad rap. I'm here to tell you how wonderful the community of moms is when it comes to sports. And let me say we don't all drive mini-vans. Well some of us do, myself I drive a Jeep SUV. Not a brand new one mind you. I prefer my old beater so that any and all sports equipment and the dirty boys who accompany it can travel safely and comfortably.

I began my sports mom journey in the first year of t-ball. My son's best friend had only a father to care for him and his brother. Since we had him on our team I often picked him up and dropped him off after practices and games. As we kept him on all of our teams year after year after year we continued to help out. Just being friendly so far.

Then came travel baseball at age 10. The whole world of getting boys to and from their appointed places opened up. That year we were an All-Star team comprised of the best of the boys from the recreational league. We went to the state tournament in Galesburg, Illinois, staying two nights in a hotel with the other families. That first trip we packed what we thought just our family would need. We learned quickly that when you forget bug spray and your son is swatting at flies on the pitcher's mound, ask another mom.

I can remember so many little things about these women that just help to make me who I am and who we are as a family. One mom can not sit still while her son pitches, she must pace. We all know it and give her room to do so. The first grandparent death, taking food to the home of the teammate, and teaching another family what is expected in the United States when it comes to death and funerals. Another mom changing jobs two years ago and then helping her family get through the timing of everything. And another that I am so comfortable with that we decide what to order at restaurants together so that we can eat off of each other's plates.

We eat together, some drink together, we bake in the hot sun or run through the blinding snow together. It didn't just end with baseball. One of the dads decided to get a travel basketball team going as well. And then came Junior Football League. Inevitably it was always the same 15 or so boys and families for each sport. Last year I finally had the majority of the moms in one location and was able to get a photo of us all together. Posting it on Facebook showed just how many other parents feel the same way.

Essentially we take care of one another. Just a few nights ago we were having an end of the year baseball celebration and I received a phone call that my brother was having difficulties as he and his wife were in turmoil and close to divorce and needed me right then and there. Even though I was the hostess of the party, I was able to drop everything and go to him because the other moms just naturally picked up where I had to leave off. Through the years when I don't feel well because of my diabetes, high blood pressure, gallbladder, infected tooth, or just plain sick; they are the ones who pick up the pieces. They make sure my son not only gets to where he needs to be but enjoys himself as well.

Last year my son won the most prestigious sports / school award given. Of course I was proud to bursting of him, but I was also proud of my husband and I as parents. The award was based not only on physical abilities but academic and personality too. And as we accepted our congratulations, I in turn thanked the moms and dads; telling them that it takes a community to raise a child and that ours had done so well with my son.

So yes there are those moms out there that epitomize the idea of "sports mom", in their minivans with their holier-than-thou attitudes. Most of us though are loving and compassionate care givers, well mine are anyways.