City Sports

Sports from where I grew up I don't think is considered an Olympic activity.   I grew up in Brooklyn and Queens so what we did after school, before school and summer was anything that we use a handball with.

In order to play sports unless you could afford it, it wasn't going to happen. The ones who could afford were in Catholic school and with the sport crowd at the high school.  The movies don't lie, it that exact with divided into sections. 

So being the poor our Olympic game was handball which combined aerobics and strength training. Of course it was competitive between schools and cities in the surrounding area. I will be honest, I was not the greatest of players but I tried.

Today living in the Island there is much of selection of handball courts. I think in my 15 years living here I have only seen one at Cedar Beach.  I guess I didn't realize I miss as much for they do not have many stoops in West Babylon or let alone Long Island also. All just flat.

To Win With Dignity

When I was young my parents and teachers taught me how to win right and especially today there is no dignity when you win.

When I won, I had to be humble and congratulate the team that loss. The reason why it taught in that manner that do on others as you do on to you.  As you can see it comes from a catholic school upbringing but it should be the first thing you learn when playing a sport.

I won't say all coaches are like that because there some good one who listen to the child and play for fun.   For every good coach unfortunately there are double the amount of bad. These are the coaches that made me not want to play if I didn't do my best I wasn't picked. The children who were ringers got picked because all they cared about is winning.  What good is winning if there is no one to share it with nor why would you want to play with them.

Be smart, remember kids try their best and some have the talent. If you think and coach in a way that the child with talent can help out those who are not as good.

There are no winners..just try to get along

As a mother of three children, I thought by now I have a better grip of how to react my child lost.  I do not have it all because what worked for one child has a negative effect to another.


To simply state, I am upset and my eyes show the sadness knowing how they worked.  For me, the big girl pants come and then take a deep breath. You do not want the kids to see upset for it upsets them thinking they failed you.  As I approach my child, I look with love in my eyes ready to give them a hug and say you will do better next time.  I am happy that you like to play for yourself and no one else.  You are not paid to act out a scene or score a home run. That is later in life when you know you have to try your best.