Jojo's CYO Basketball Debut

Last night I went to my nephew Jojo's first CYO basketball game. Jojo was never a sports fan. He loved video games and TV way more.

Now his dad, my brother Joey, is super sports man, has all three of his kids involved in sports. I even thought sometimes it was too much. But when I go to these games I see way more than sports. It's a community. A really wonderful community and I love seeing the kids be a part of this.

Even Bella is always whining about going to her practice, her games and/or going to her brothers' games. But every time she goes, she walks in and walks away from me instantly saying hello to everyone, kids and adults, she knows everyone and they know her. I have met so many nice people, I see them at all the games, know some of them by name and others just remember their faces, and I talk to whoever I'm sitting or standing next to. Just me, gab, gab, gab! And then my brother Joey comes and they look at our faces and say, oh, you're Joey's sister! Although last night, for the first time, some guy asked if I was Joey's mother! Oh well, I guess I'm losing it a bit, and Joey does look like a kid, even to me, it's hard to look at him and believe he has kids, and then of course the way he acts. He was hanging with two great teens last night. They ref at the church games and Joey has had them over for dinner with the kids and they adore Joey. Joey was making faces behind their backs, like a ten year old, and just cracking everyone up, even the kid he was doing it to, he said he expects it from Joey. These boys give me a hug and a kiss when they see me, are so respectful and nice, their parents coach basketball and soccer, a great family. I love that my brother has his kids growing up in this atmosphere. It's making a big difference in their lives.

When I got to the game last night, I was early and there was another game finishing up. The fans were going wild, for both teams. It was so close and the losing team lost by one point. The cheers from the bleachers were for both teams. So exciting to watch and be a part of for the players and the fans.

Then I saw Jojo and his team mates on the other side of the gym and walked over. I know it's not cool for Jojo to have me saying hello, but I can't help myself. He wanted me there, had asked me just an hour before the game if I was coming and I told him I wouldn't miss it for the world and he was happy which makes my heart just soar. I just walked up, poked him on the shoulder and said have a good game. He gave me a look, like, okay I'm cool, now walk away. And I did. But I wanted to grab him and smother him with kisses at that moment, which I do lots of times, in private, and he loves it, but I know I can't display that outside anymore. I must resist!

Jojo's godparents are my brother Bobby and his wife Janet. They adore him and are both very good to him as well as all the kids in the family, they do so much for them. Love them, spend so much time with them, buy them really great gifts I could never afford. And Bob and Jojo have had a special relationship from day one. Jojo adores his Uncle Bob. Janet told me recently, and she laughed about it because it was such a "Jojoism", Jojo and Bob were having a conversation and Jojo told Bob how much he loved him and that he was his favorite uncle. Bob told Jojo how much he loved him too and then Jojo said, but your wife's not my favorite aunt, Aunt Tricia is. I'm glad it didn't hurt Janet, she knows Jojo loves her too, and we all know how honest kids can be.

Jojo also said something really special to me this summer. I think I took him to basketball or soccer, I don't remember, but I was dropping him off and as we were walking down the block towards his house he said, you know Aunt Tricia I feel like you're my sister. Still searching for the words, he added something like, you know, I love you and you're always around. I think he explained his feelings perfectly. He fights with his sister but he loves her and as much as he can fight with her, no one else can, and then you make up, and it's gone, you forget about it completely. They look out for each other, have each other's backs. I loved Jojo a little more in that moment. How can I possible love more! But I'm so blessed, because it keeps happening all the time!

My batteries died in my camera right after Jojo's team started playing. Bella always yells at me, how can I forget all to have extra batteries! She wasn't there last night, so I didn't get in trouble. But I did get a couple. I was sitting next to Joey and asking him if Jojo would play a lot. Joey didn't think so, and said if it bothers him that much, then we'll deal with it, but he was on the "A" team and Joey is still in shock when people talk about how good Jojo is. Like, my son? Really? It's not just me thinking he's that good? You see it too? An overnight change from that boy playing video games and bored out of his mind playing soccer and basketball, now so serious, practicing, into the game and so proud and getting more confident of himself. Joey said he was nervous last night. He didn't look it to me but Joey said he knew he was.

Jojo did great. He played in the game way more than Joey thought he would and there was a time they were down 13 to 1 or something close to that, I know Jojo's team had 1. But by the end of the game they lost by 2 points. It was Jojo's night and I was so happy for him and again the community of people there, for the most part, are so supportive of all the kids. But I must say the coach for the opposing team sounded like he was going to have a heart attack through the whole game. He was screaming like madman, maybe it makes a difference, maybe that's why they won, I'm no sports expert, but the game before I didn't hear any of the coaches screaming like that, and both teams were really good. No screaming!

I know some parents take this stuff really serious. Trying to get scholarships for their kids. Some just living their dream through their children. But from what I've seen in the leagues that my brother Joey has his kids in, these people promote team spirit, the kids are so friendly. I took the boys with me to Bella's basketball practice on Saturday and the boys had a football game outside the front of the gym with a bunch of boys. They spend their days there, watching games, playing with kids coming and going. I'm so glad they are part of this community, they will be better adults for this experience.

Here's some shots of Jojo at his intramural games.



Kudos Jojo!!