Seein' RED!!!!!!!!!!

Parent Cafe
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<p>Yep, y’all, we’re seein’ RED!!! around here tonight!!</p>

<p>Why you ask? Well, it’s because my middle son (13) just made the RED BASKETBALL TEAM at his middle school!! The “Red Team” is the more competitive of the two teams they select, and it’s the one all of the boys strive to make. Our basketball tryouts are quite competitive and take place over a rather grueling 4-days, and today was the last day–FINALLY! :)</p>

<p>Now, before you berate me for this shameless brag, let me give you a little bit of history. My middle son is the least academic of all of my kids. In fact, academics are a bit of a struggle for him, and for many years, he’s had to live in the shadows of his more academically accomplished siblings. </p>

<p>Personality-wise, he is <em>SO</em> different from his older brother–night and day really–nevertheless, he absolutely idolizes him. Some of you may remember how he was every bit as excited about S1’s Duke acceptance as S1 was! Recently, in English class, S2 was asked to write a short essay talking about what he would want if he could have anything on earth. He wrote that more than anything, he’d like to receive a scholarship from Duke and be able to attend school there. <em>sigh</em></p>

<p>BUT…the <em>really, really</em> cool thing is this: this AMAZING kid has talents that NONE of my other kids possess. He’s a dynamite natural athlete, something which S1 envies because though he was also athletically accomplished, he had to work VERY hard to get there, and he has the same natural limitations on his athletic abilities that S2 has on his academic ones.</p>

<p>But more importantly, his EQ is GI-NORMOUS…through the roof and off into the stratosphere! He’s quiet, somewhat shy and a bit self-deprecating, which stands out in stark contrast to S1’s confident and outgoing nature. He exudes a sweet, vulnerable air that makes EVERYONE embrace him, kids and adults alike. His teachers absolutely ADORE HIM. And he can read people in the most intimate and uncanny way–he sees subtle nuances which elude nearly everyone else. He is a leader, though with a decidedly laidback style.</p>

<p>So, when I see this sweet son of mine—the one with the twinkly eyes and the mischievous grin, who on many occasions has felt not-quite-good-enough—excel at something which means so much to him, it just makes my heart fill with such absolute joy! I’m sure that the 6:00 a.m. practices will burst that bubble quickly however! ;)</p>

<p>Thanks for reading and sharing in this special moment for my S2!!!</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>Berurah, I am so happy for you and your son! I know you must be on cloud nine. Congrats to your son for making the Red Team! He sounds like a really talented kid - you should be proud.</p>

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<p>So happy for you and your little one…hope his older sibs are appropriately proud of him! Best wishes for a great season.</p>

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<p>Everyone’s unique which is what makes people interesting. Your son is to be congratulated for his accomplishments. Thanks for sharing this.</p>

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<p>Congratulations to your son! How exciting for you both! :)</p>

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<p>Congrats! If he keeps up the good work and hones his basketball skills I guarantee he will get that scholarship to Duke!! (If he grows to 7’ 2")</p>

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<p>YAY! YAY! Champagne for the adults and Shirley Temples for S2! :slight_smile: :)</p>

<p>It is really SO good for kids when they can have something that is their own, and not shared with a sibling or a parent or a cousin - but their own accomplishments, and something that they can be proud of and that gives them a place in the family. :)</p>

<p>Here’s to many more successes for your wonderful S2. :)</p>

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<p>Congratulations to your son, Berurah! </p>

<p>Isn’t it amazing how different our children can be in so many ways? That’s part of what makes motherhood so challenging and rewarding!</p>

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<p>Yay from me too!</p>

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<p>I was really glad to read this post! Congrats…it’s so great when your distinctly different kids begin to each find their own “niche” and to experience success…</p>

<p>Hugs to you!</p>

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<p>berurah-
I have to tell you that when I saw this thread title my first thought was “Uh oh! Now they’re doing a feature on scantily clad cheerleaders in her kids yearbook.”
I was so delightfully surprised to hear the great news about your S. A hearty mazel tov to him! ;)</p>

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<p>berurah, big hugs and congratulations to your son, and to you! Your post was the first thing I read this morning when I logged onto my computer and it made me smile. A nice way to start my day! :)</p>

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<p>If I knew how to change the colors of my posts, I would have this “CONGRATULATIONS” in RED. Great news!!! I am so happy for him!!</p>

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<p>Yea for berurahson!! Congratulations! It is so nice to see each child get their hard-earned and well-deserved validation! Your post was so sweet and touching. I have one of those second children who must follow in the footsteps of a superstar. So I can relate…totally!</p>

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<p>Okay, I definitely haven’t had my coffee this morning.</p>

<p>But I don’t like opening a thread that’s SCREAMING WITH CAPITAL LETTERS AND !!!. </p>

<p>And while I congratulate your son, I don’t intend to open an entire thread about MY kid! </p>

<p>I suggest that future threads try to widen the topic enough to stimulate discussion by other posters instead of just congratulations. For example, “Travails of second sons.” </p>

<p>I thought Sinner’s Alley was for “my kid” stuff, but I could be wrong.</p>

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<p>Congrats and hooray! Thanks for sharing such happy news.</p>

<p>Northeastmom, I just learned how : [color=red]text[/c*olor]</p>

<p>The second time you type the word color, you would not type the the asterisk as I did in the example above. I did that to avoid just posting the word “text” in red.</p>

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<p>berurah,</p>

<p>My best congratulations to your talented son! I loved reading your description of him and, as always, I’m inspired by your devotion to your children.</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>farawayplaces~</p>

<p>Then why did you open it? :confused:</p>

<p>Your rudeness and lack of netiquette is rather astounding, and you had <em>no</em> right to mar an otherwise lovely thread. Shame on you.</p>

<p>I make every effort to avoid posting to those with whom I don’t see eye to eye, particularly those who are unable to be civil in their disagreement. You might want to consider the same. Those who know me know I “cheerlead” for and support everyone who shares from their hearts. That some of these people see fit to give in kind is beautiful.</p>

<p>~berurah</p>

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<p>Okay, I came on a little strong and personal, for which I apologize.</p>

<p>I just understood that CAPITAL LETTERS are screaming, and that other have been cautioned not to use them on the net. </p>

<p>I always wish to attract the many thousands of lurkers here, and I don’t think it serves a purpose to dedicate an entire thread to this. Just my opinion</p>

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<p>CONGRATULATIONS!!</p>

<p>I’m always amazed at how children can be from the same parents, have the same environment, and yet be so different. They all have their unique talents and abilities which NEED to be acknowledged and celebrated.</p>

<p>THANKS FOR SHARING!!!</p>