Special

     A recent Special Olympics basketball tournament gave me yet another opportunity to look around at all the amazing ways that human beings play and work at play. There is a wide range of abilities in this sport played by folks with a "dis-ability". Short and tall, wide and thin, young and old, everyone was different from everyone else but all shared a very special interest, a profound love of this game called basketball. Of course some teams did better than others; there are always winners and losers and although the scores did matter and the baskets all counted, it truly was about being a team. Everyone worked so hard! I saw some very fast, very intense playing with close contact and even closer scores. I also saw players making sure that their slower teammates had a chance, even briefly, to handle the ball. There were some great moments of play, there were some generous acts of kindness but mostly there was love of the game.
     As always the Special O coaches were all very encouraging. There was a great deal of organization needed to pull off a multi level tournament; keeping everyone safe, hydrated and together. In a venue like a school there is not always a lot of room for large groups but the coaches used every corner to their team's advantage, some even warming up just inside the school's front door. I was also impressed with the referees and linesmen all of whom volunteered their time. These folks were exceptional in the way that they kept the players playing fair and instructed them on the rules behind their calls. They also showed that they too love this game of basketball.
     It was a good day; it started early and ended late but it was a day of great spirit and warm camaraderie. And my daughter and I felt privileged to be there.