Tetherball – It’s My Kind of Sport

I wasn’t athletic as a kid.  I grew up trying all kinds of sports (the key word here being ‘trying’).  Every recreation program there was, I think I tried it out.  Even the oddball ones like ragball, soccer, tennis, etc.  I remember thinking, “I am just not cut out for this.”

What I didn’t realize as a kid was that it took practice to excel at a sport.  Ha!  We all know this right?  I guess I was looking for it to come naturally. And it didn’t — so I didn’t pursue it.  Shame on me…

Unless of course you count Tetherball.  I loved it! It was easy for me – so I played it.  No, it didn’t get me a college scholarship (in case you were wondering).  But when I see a Tetherball court, I have fond memories of my childhood.  I think that is the most important thing.

Do I have regrets?  Knowing now that I have an untapped natural athletic ability – YES, I regret not trying harder.  HOWEVER, the benefit to me is that I don’t have worn out knees or other abused body parts as many of my active friends do.  So, I get to put my new found adult athleticism to work and experiment with sports now.  It is frustrating at times to pick up a tennis racket and play with peers who are skilled players due to their years of practice since they played growing up.  But the strides I am making to become a better version of me are worth the efforts.

Sure — it would have been fun to be a part of something bigger than myself as a kid.  But I tell you, watching my kids participate and flourish as active members on all kinds of teams makes me feel good.

Do you have a skill you didn’t realize you had until later in life?