If you haven’t picked up on it already, my dad and brother are HUGE sports fans. I would say football is their favorite sport; especially college football. When my brother was little, and had started watching football on TV with my dad, he began tackling people. Now, this might sound cute, except that he would tackle strangers (like kids on the playground that didn’t know him well)! This went on for years and was a big frustration. My parents repeatedly explained to Brian that it was okay for football players to tackle but not for him to tackle innocent bystanders!
While Brian never played football (officially), he did play AYSO soccer (he fell down a lot on the field; intentionally). Maybe it was that flair for the dramatics again? Or maybe he was secretly wishing he was playing football instead?
Brian is a great swimmer. In fact sometimes he scares everyone when he goes underwater and hangs out, for what seems like, way too long. He can do an impressive handstands underwater too. It has been such a blessing that Brian swims well, it is something that our whole family can do together with everyone actively participating in similar capacities.
Brian has been, and is currently, involved with Special Olympics. I remember going to a Special Olympics swim meet to watch Brian when he was in middle school. His girlfriend, Sarah, was (and still is) “ga ga” over him. She kept smiling and saying, “There’s my boyfriend” and giggling like a school girl (which she was). I think this might be how they starting “going out”, she claimed him and he didn’t mind.
Brian has competed in the Special Olympic Summer State Games many times. He currently competes in bocce ball. A highlight of The Games is the big dance; where Who Let the Dogs Out, The Macarena, and YMCA are always crowd favorites. I chaperoned the State Games numerous times with my students and loved how uninhibited the athletes danced; they were just there to have fun and didn’t seem to worry what other people thought of their dance moves– their moves were awesome by the way!
Brian also plays unified sports; mainly basketball. This is a really neat program too, because it combines college students and athletes with disabilities; they play alongside each other. Brian has a pretty consistent shot when it comes to basketball. He has spent many an hour with the hoop at my parent’s house.
Brian also is on a bowling league with his friend Patty (who attended the young adult program that Brian went to). He has gotten some turkeys in his day; but mostly I think he likes the bowling alley snacks; just a guess.
Deep Breaths: God has made us each uniquely, and has given us talents to use for His glory. What do you think you were put on this earth to do; more importantly, what do you think you were put on this earth to be? I am not talking occupation here, but character- how can you, with God’s help and wisdom, make this world a better place?