Finding One’s Enjoyment...

I hope you went to the fair this year. I did and I found a lot to enjoy there. I was busy as usual with shifts at the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Ralston Grange. I have a lot of fun the fair talking with people and making the most of the moneymaking opportunities for these organizations.

Four of us from the Lions Club even participated in the Talent Show just to make sure those in attendance had a good laugh. Maybe it wasn’t memorable but I think it was funny. Then again maybe it was memorable.

I really think a lot of folks are missing something when they don’t attend the fair. Maybe their kids are off at college or married and on their own now so taking the time even for a couple of hours or so isn’t that important. I would hope these same people would attend and support their neighbor’s kids who are showing animals or have entered a craft.

I realize it is a busy time for farmers and others who like to travel over Labor Day. Holiday travel is not something I enjoy doing. Just traveling the 11 miles to my house every day is enough for me with all the crazies thinking they can get somewhere a day early by hitting speeds of 80 or more. Trust me, it’s not going to happen. Especially, if a State Trooper happens to stop them with a 15-minute understanding of the laws of the road.

As the fall sports season gets underway for real in Broncoville, I like to see who is playing and where they are from and whom they belong to. I’m kind of a trivia guy, which may not mean a lot to anyone but me, but I understand the importance and that’s all that matters.

When I was growing up, our family went to all of the games. When one of our family was playing there was a lot more of an investment but I really grew to really appreciate the games and the players involved.

For some reason I thought if one member of a family played a sport and were very good then obviously the younger members of the family must be good or at least want to play the sport. But that wasn’t always the case.

Everyone has their thing that they get the most out of and sometimes it isn’t sports. When you grew up like I did there is a good chance you lose sight of that fact.

There is a good reason we should appreciate a great pep band, cheerleaders or a drill team at a game because they add a lot to the atmosphere. They also put in a lot of practice to master what they do.

When it comes to athletes a lot of coaches try to predict when a freshman or sophomore might grow up and be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. When it is a year early the coaching staff really gets excited. But they also need to understand these kids are still growing and learning techniques. They are vulnerable to injury. The more kids play the better understanding they have in knowing how to protect themselves.

Every once in a while there is that young athlete who understands the game beyond their years and you just have to stand back and be amazed at what they are able to accomplish. A majority of this type of success is natural and much of it is due to their thorough love of the game.

I’ve seen a lot of great potential fizzle out at some time in high school due to an injury, or simply losing interest in competing. I’ve seen kids who were great at the junior high level and for some reason just couldn’t improve as players after that. That’s a part of life and I know some will be real disappointed but it shouldn’t take over a kid’s life negatively. There are far too many other things out there that can fulfill a young person’s life.

Each of us needs to find our own enjoyment. Mine happens to be sports and watching young kids develop into young adults. The older we get the more we will be depending on these same kids in the future.