It's the 4th of July, and while we'll be watching the fireworks later tonight as will thousands of families across America, we're packing for a trip across the country. Saturday, my son Michael starts his journey to attempt to represent his country and bowl for Jr. Team USA.
This is Michael's first year, and he's come a long way. Of course, we're well aware of the odds that he'll face bowling against 1458 of the best youth bowlers in the country. I am amazed at the transformation he's accomplished. Growing several inches in the last few months is merely genetic and hormonal, but it came at good time for him. He's now about 5' 10" and at 15 has probably another inch or two in store. His game has transformed as well--from the ugly duckling to approaching a swan-like stance. He has Juan Fonseca to thank for that.
Michael is representing many entities: Rocket Lanes, the North Los Angeles County USBC, the state of California, and of course, his country. He's got so many different interests (from bass guitar, to his study of Japanese language and culture, his love of music and his iPod, and a gazillion other things), that it amuses me that bowling in this tournament--just to represent his country (and his bowling center) means that much to him.
No matter how he finishes up, he's come a long way in a short period of time when he announced he suddenly wanted to go to Florida to bowl. So now he's going, and he's done the work to get there. My husband, my daughter and I will be there to root him on.
So wish him luck, and wish me luck. I've taken a dozen or so kids to this event before, but never have I had to just sit there as a Mom. I'll thankfully be able to wander around and watch some of the other kids from our center, because I'd be a nervous wreck if I had to sit there the entire time and just watch.
I'll try to update this during the week, and possibly get Michael to add a few words of his own.
Gotta Split,
Angel
Posted by Angel Zobel-Rodriguez at July 4, 2006 06:34 PM