Dad offers perspective to high jump disappointment

 

There were many memorable moments at the Class III-A sectional track meet at Batavia High School June 10, and my favorite occurred at the high jump, where I was lending a hand.

Hundreds of athletes and coaches from a dozen area high schools participated in the meet, and the top finishers will compete at the state championship meet June 17-19 at Eastern Illinois University.

Temperatures were in the mid-80s here, and it was a bit hotter on the track. There was no shade, and the winds were calm. The elements were unusual for sectional competitions, which were conducted in early May in pre-Covid-19 days. But things are different this year.

The moment that stood out for me involved an athlete who had narrowly missed qualifying for the state championship. His disappointment was obvious. He sat down on the hot surface near the high jump pit and cried.

Protocols today require fans to be kept at a distance from the competitors, and parents are restricted to a designated viewing area. I noticed one man waving his arms to get my attention and figured he was related to the athlete. I waved him through and learned he was the boy's father. I stood by while Dad consoled his son.

The boy talked about how the loss ended his season and probably his competitive career. "I wanted this so much," I heard him say.

Dad wrapped his arms around his son and said, "Listen to me. I love you. You're my son, and I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud of you."

I felt I was intruding, but was required to stand by. The boy pulled a towel over his head. Dad leaned toward his son and whispered something and then looked at me and nodded me over. I helped Dad get his son on his feet and saw them off.

I know Dad would rather have been congratulating his son on reaching the state championship, but there he was doing what dads do at such moments. He was reassuring his son that disappointment is not the end, but part of life.

And Dad reminded his son he was valued and loved, not for winning ribbons and trophies, but for being a son.

As we approach Father's Day, I thought the episode a valuable reminder that one of the greatest contributions a father makes is to offer his children encouragement, support and perspective during challenging times.

-- Thank you for reading. kbotterman@gmail.com

One last look at what I enjoyed most in 2016

Before we get too deep into 2017, I wanted to take a few minutes to identify some of the people, places and things I enjoyed during 2016.

It’s a humble list, but here goes.

• I enjoyed a road trip Lori and I took in June to visit Lori’s sister and her family in Austin, Texas. We saw a lot of Texas, a fair amount of Missouri, and portions of Arkansas and Oklahoma. I enjoyed every aspect of the journey, most particularly the time we spent with Lori’s family.
  

• I enjoyed bringing Otto into our home. We adopted Otto, a minature Pinscher, in December. The Kane County Department of Animal Control took custody of Otto in late September, after a he was found in western Kane County, apparently abandoned by his previous owner. The department’s staff took excellent care of Otto, and he has been a wonderful addition to our family.

• I enjoyed watching the Cubs win the World Series. I have followed the Cubs for nearly all of my 55 years and enjoyed the team’s play throughout the 2016 season and its post-season run to the championship. All along the way, right through Game 7, I was aware that I was witnessing something my grandfather, my father, my uncle, two of brothers and countless other Cubs fans never saw during their lifetimes. And that made the experience all the more meaningful for me.

• Family Weekend in September at Easter Illinois University. Lori and I drove to EIU on a warm and sunny Saturday, arriving just in time for the start of the tailgate party before the football game. We met many of my daughter’s sorority sisters and their parents. We enjoyed taking to dinner a few of the girls whose parents could not attend, and we toured a few of the bars popular with the students. The visit was too short, but we enjoyed the time spent with my daughter and her friends, and had safe journey home.

• I enjoyed following Western Michigan University’s 13-1 football season, including the team's  win in the conference championship and its subsequent appearance in the Cotton Bowl, where WMU suffered its only loss of the season. As I write this, P.J. Fleck, who coached the Broncos, is settling in to his new role as head coach at the University of Minnesota. Good luck in the new job, coach.

• I enjoyed reading several good books, including “Target Tokyo” by James Scott, “The Gentleman from Illinois” by the late Alan Dixon, and “My Antonia” by Willa Cather.

• I enjoyed serving as one of the two aldermen representing the Fifth Ward on the Batavia City Council. I enjoyed the privilege of representing my neighbors and voting on measures in good faith and in what I believed was in the city’s best interest. I am particularly proud of my votes in opposition to the proposed Shodeen project and the purchases made in connection to it.

• I enjoyed walking my little dog, Betty, at Batavia’s Engstrom Park. We’re not sure of Betty’s age. She was a rescue, and her doctor can only estimate her age, which he supposes might be 12 or 13, making her a senior citizen in dog years. Despite her years, Betty still has a lot of energy and pep in her. She showed it during every visit to the park. I always enjoy watching her run and often imagine the kind of puppy she might have been had her life circumstances been better during her early years. Of course, if her circumstances had been better, she probably wouldn’t be in my life today.

• I enjoyed good health and the opportunity it provides to complete a variety of routine but pleasant activities, including shopping at the local Woodman’s store, preparing meals with my wife, evening walks, bike rides and trimming trees on the grounds of the church I attend. All of these simple things made my life more enjoyable in 2016. And they are some of the memories I carry as I walk my westward road.

— Thank you for reading. Email comments to kbotterman@gmail.com.