Basketball or Bust

Basketball season is in full swing for my 8th grader, my athlete my 13 year old.  She has been playing since about 3rd grade.  She has gone through coaches, players and different districts but she still really enjoys the game.  She is much more competitive that I was at that age and it makes me remember my high school years watching those girls play!  It was aggressive and I just wasn't that type of girl.  But more importantly I was very insecure at that age.  I look back and wonder is it any different?
I don't think so.  My daughter deals with overactive competitive girls, parents and players that are all about them.  But isn't that what life is about too.  As a fairly grown up person, I deal with those type of people all around me.  I guess I've learned how to ignore well and feel good about me.  I can't help myself when I see her play how many lessons she is learning just by getting that ball into the hoop.  And the running down and back of the court is good for her too. I've seen each year she gets closer to knowing who she is feeling more secure in herself.  She still needs that pep talk and the you can do it before her games but who doesn't like to be appreciated and encouraged!
So every monday and wednesday night in October and November our family along with her grandparents enjoys watching her play the game.  She may get a basket or get a rebound, steal a ball or all 3.  It doesn't really matter much to me.  I am just proud she is enjoying being active, learning how to work together and seeing her grow into a beautiful young woman.
It's hard raising teenagers and girls I think the self concept is much more challenging than others but I continue to encourage her to be a girl of integrity, honesty and hard worker.  If she can accomplish this in the game or in the game of life I think I have succeeded.