Category: Moments

First Trailblazers game – First time on an NBA court

Asher is playing boys basketball through the North Clackamas Parks and Req district. We were excited to get tickets to a Blazer game with early access to view pre-game warm-ups and the opportunity to shoot a free throw on the NBA court after the game. Asher wore his Damian Lillard jersey for the occasion. On our way to the court after the game, he stopped in the men’s room to take his undershirt off. He wanted to ensure he had full range of motion for his (first) big shot.

Over our time at the MODA Center, I was so proud of his observation skills of the game – that he was aware of how the different players move and position themselves on the court. We talk a lot about setting screens and pick and rolls, and spacing. How he felt a little nervous to be on a bigger stage than the elementary schools he’d been playing at. Also how he wanted to perform well – the pride he took in his performance.

What a memorable day for everyone.

Asher’s first day of school!

Asher’s first day of school was a day I’ll always remember. From a parents perpective it’s setting the child up for their learning career. We looked at all the possibilities; from the neighborhood school, to charters, to privates and felt sending him to Lemond French Immersion would be a good choice; learning French and Spanish, the size of the school, the location, we’d heard the reputation was very good.

Asher bounds out of the house in his uniform, with his backpack on, packed with his essentials, and I capture these pictures. You don’t always remember the expression on a face when you take it – it’s one of many aspects to capture, but boy did he have an excited expression on his face the first day of school!

That enthusiasm continued from the house to school. We were given instructions that the parents can’t come into the school and that the door opening would signal it was time for the kids to go into the school. I thought there could be some transition time, another hug, maybe I’d say you’ll do great and I hope you have a great first day. But that is not what happened. I let him know the doors are open and you can go ahead and go into the school. In my eyes it was the unknown for him. He just turned to me and said, ok, bye(!) and ran up the steps, through the doors and he was gone.

It was a very proud moment. A glimpse of the boy he will be and the man he will grown into being.

Asher, can I tell you something…

… I love you.

Asher: I love you too.

Me: should I tell you that every day?

Me: should I tell you that 10 times a day?

Asher: you should say that 100 times a day.  All the parts of the day.

Yes, my sweet son, I should tell you that every part of every day. I love you.