Guidance through Sports - 5.5.2007

Growing up in the city of Chicago was great until the neighborhood I was living in started to get bad. Gangs, drugs, fights, etc. started taking place two houses down from my house.

 

The one thing that kept my brother, friends, and I out of trouble was sports (There was a group of 6 that stayed together). We would go to our grade school and play baseball, football, and basketball. We were too busy playing sports to join the gang. I was amazed how we kept together and stayed out of trouble but I think sports had a lot to do with that. Then we all started moving out to the suburbs where it was easier to find a park and play. In essence, it was easier to stay out of trouble.

 

I live in Arlington Heights, which is a suburb outside of Chicago. My two sons started to play sports and this picture was taken at their soccer class. While there is no guarantee that they will stay out of trouble when the get older - I really think that playing sports will help.

 

I really like this picture because if you look at the soccer balls - it forms a Y which in my mind stands for youth. Without sports I stayed out of trouble and learned the aspect of teamwork, trust, and having fun.

 

I hope it does the same for my kids.

 

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