My Simple Pleasures!: SPORTS PLEASURES

I was the fourth daughter for my Mom and Dad. My Dad was so desperate for a boy that he made me his boy! He roughed me up pretty good and inspired and encouraged me to participate in any sport I wanted to.

I'm definitely not a natural athlete but there is not too many things I won't try. I have always played softball since I was 12 years old and at the age of 54 this will be my first year of softball retirement. At one time, I was playing on four different teams. I have been fortunate enough to play on teams that qualified for the Women's World Series softball tournament in Orlando, Florida. I've played church ball, co-rec ball and, much to my chagrin, played on a men's modified fast pitch team. Besides me there was only one other girl.

I became the member of a weekly bowling team when I was 12 and continued bowling competitively until the past few years.

I am not a hunter and haven't shot a gun competitively since high school but I was intrigued by the sport and my Dad encouraged me to join the team so I did. What an awesome sport to learn "slow and steady," "take your time," "think things through."

There is so much more to learn in a team sport that enhances your natural attributes. Teamwork is one of the most important. It teaches you patience, comradery, and empathy to mention a few.

I recently participated in a challenge to raise money for MS. I learned the true meaning of comradery and empathy while trying to complete, with as much dignity as possible, a team sport called Tough Mudder. The Tough Mudder is a six mile run with over 30 military obstacles in between--ALL in the mud! Not able to keep up with those younger teammates or teammates who were in much better shape, I was taken aback by teammate after teammate waiting for me at obstacles because I was bringing up the rear in the running. At one time the entire team waited for me so we could all go to the next obstacle TOGETHER!