Finding my center

Monday, November 15, 2010

Tonight I helped out at the 6th grade girls basketball practice. Basketball has always been my favorite sport to play. Growing up I loved the competition with other kids, but would also spent hours at a time alone, just shooting baskets. During turbulent times it was therapeutic – time to think and find my center.

During tonight’s warm up time it felt so good to be on the court again shooting. I still can’t run our jump much, but the old reliable set shot is still there. I enjoyed interacting with the students, observing, encouraging, and offering a tip or two. And the activity also helps me along in building back strength and agility.

When I went to Speyer Home (6th-8th grade boys) for supper the students were diligently working on a project. This year they are in living in temporary quarters while the real Speyer Home is in the remodeling process. Earlier in the year, the boys culled some tall and straight young trees from the woods and set them aside to dry out. Now they are sawing the wood and creating a rather large welcome banner for their home, using the wood and an Elk hide. Working on the common project has become a good way to build up their camaraderie and group spirit.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

3 thoughts on “Finding my center”

  1. Reminds us..When our youngest son was in High School,he LOVED basketball. BUT he could NOT jump. He made a great football player, though. No one could move him out of the way.
    WHAT FUN…!
    We live in a bucket of blessings, don’t we..?
    Prayers..
    AND lOVE,
    Mia and Bob

  2. We would ALL like to see some pictures of that banner when it is finished..!
    Also some of the planned performance..
    Can you do that..?
    M & B

  3. IT is so WONDERFUL that some still do things from the REAL world, and in a REAL world way. I know that it will stay with them always, and the appreciation of YOUR help will also.
    GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS.–
    I do THANK GOD EVERYDAY, for the one they have there with them, and I am sure they do also.–YOU, Fr. Steve; are a very SPECIAL person to many.

    GOD BLESS’-
    Cynthia

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