Thursday, April 30, 2009

Photostory Friday: Sacred Ground

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek


The day we moved into our house last summer -- before we unpacked a single box, even before we put the beds together -- I went and bought a basketball hoop.

Among the fathers and sons, in my family, basketball hoops are very important.

 


We're not great basketball players. 

None of us play on a basketball team.

We don't spend an inordinate amount of time following any basketball teams.

We don't keep score. 

The truth be told, we don't really even play basketball -- we just shoot hoops. And with only one rule: you shoot until you miss. But, I wouldn't trade what happens under that hoop, for anything in the world. I can't think of a word to express exactly what that is. "Bonding" is the closest approximation I can come up with.




It's where the generations of sons and their fathers come together, on common ground. 

It's where my dad and I developed a true friendship, in the last few years of his life. 

It's where my son and I spend hours talking about the important things of life. And the unimportant things. And sometimes not talking at all. 




It's where we show to our fathers, and to our sons, that they are important -- that we have time for them. 

It's where I feel my dad's presence most powerfully, and where my son and my father -- who never met -- join me in an unbroken line of hoop shooters. 




To me, it's sacred ground. 

44 comments:

Cecily R said...

There is something very comforting in the sound of a basketball hitting the driveway and "men" discussing the important stuff.

LOVE the shots!

Ooo. I was punny and I didn't even mean to be...

scrappysue said...

exactly. boys bond over activity. we women could sit and talk. for years. without moving. an inch. except our jaws of course!!!

Laura said...

That's awesome!! My hubby and boys agree!

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

Great shots and such an awesome post. This is totally a boy bonding activity. :)

Mom24 said...

Awesome. That's how it always was for my hubby and his dad. Now, it's kind of funny that it's our daughters that like to go out and shoot with their dad.

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

You are seriously one of the most inspirational people I've ever met. Your wife must be in awe of you every.single.day.

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful moment, I am sure your son is just as pleased with the time as you are.

Raise Them Up said...

Perfectly said. Great thoughts, and great pictures. I'm so glad I stumbled onto your site.

Blessings

david mcmahon said...

Simply brilliant.

I am a VERY hands-on father and always have been.

I hear you. And I could not agree with you more.

sunshinesls said...

Basketball is a big thing in my family....We have spent HOURS at games thru the years....so I can very much appreciate these shots! Good job.....

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

For us it is baseball. wonderful shots and thoughts.

Carebear said...

Well, now you've done it - I'm in tears here. Beautiful photostory as usual. You make my Friday (okay, technically Thursday night) a little more enjoyable every week. This is one of my faves - and a perfect example of why you're in my sidebar under Websites I Love, and why you were one of the first blogs in my blogroll 6 months ago. Thanks for a great tribute to Dads - especially poignant for me because my hubby (dad to my kiddos) is finally coming home after 5 months away. My little man asks 20 times a day "where my dad at?" They are so close, and that is so special.

tiarastantrums said...

this is great - I just wish we had a flat driveway for my son and his father!

Shellie said...

Great shots! I love the sound of the ball hitting the rim and then it vibrates and swoosh! in it goes! Glad our house already had one.

Inday said...

Very touching photostory. Family bonding is one of the values in our society that is also declining. Some families don't have any at all!

vicki archer said...

Wonderful story. Tradition and memories are what make up the fabric of life. Have a lovely weekend shooting those basketballs, xv.

Merisi said...

Congratulations on winning David's Post of the Day award - well deserved! :-)

Unknown said...

I can see why David selected you as POTD and am so glad I visited. A brilliant observation, so pure and open.

Angela said...

Cool shots! Did you get bonked in the head? We have a hoop too, and I have dreams of painting the lines on our driveway to shoot free throws. Happy PSF!

Wayne said...

what great shots, I never could play basket ball

great photo friday

lucy said...

You inspire me!

Steph said...

That's awesome, and so true. We have a basketball hoop too, and only girls...girls can shoot hoops with their dads too.

Beautiful as usual.

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

You been tagged for meme. Check my blog out if you want to play along. have a great weekend!

Rosaria Williams said...

Congratulations on winning Authorblog's Post of the Day on Tuesday. The post on bonding over basketball is priceless.

Jewels said...

The ultimate sense of family.

Beautifully written!

Robyn said...

Even I like to shoot the ball around.

MamaGeek @ Works For Us said...

I totally get this and couldn't agree more. It's almost mind-numbing therapeutic. Beautiful perspective on the shots Chris.

Anonymous said...

Great shots! So true about shooting hoops. My dad and I would do that or get out the baseball mitts and throw some baseballs. Those are some great memories that will always be treasured!

Kat said...

That is awesome. It is sacred, indeed. :)

Diane said...

great story!

kayerj said...

it was fun shootin' the hoops with you :) loved the story

Ryanne said...

So, here I am sitting on the floor of my little guys room, waiting until he falls asleep, reading the stories, and this one brought a tear or ten to my eyes. I loved reading this and felt what you meant. It is so important for fathers and son to have those bonding opportunities! And I love the shots, especially the one with the ball nearly through the net...marvelous!

Terri said...

Sweet story Chris. I love that it's not competitive, just the opposite really. I wonder if there's something about the left brain being engaged with the shooting and dribbling that makes room for the bonding?

Sorry I missed our Wednesday evening rendezvous! Thanks for stopping by my blog anyway. It's been crazy busy and more of same for the next couple weeks. I'm scheduling most of my posts days ahead of time.

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

i am a basketball player at heart, so this post speaks volumes to me. i love the last picture!

Sarah Laurence said...

I'm not a basketball player but I still loved the spirit of this post. Nice shots (pun intended.) Congratulations on your POTD!

imbeingheldhostage said...

fabulous. You reminded me of "Father of the Bride", just because of the communicating while shooting hoops part.
Terrific PSF

Willow said...

Congrats on Post of the Day at David's blog!

Karin said...

Aw Chris, it's always great to read one of your posts! And that last shot is superb, really very well done!

Straight to Your Hart said...

So, you know church ball??? Well, they decided that our Stake building needed to put pictures of Christ to see if it would tone down the testosterone...ehemmm. Yes my hubby was apart of the reason. Still bonding though...giggle

I agree with sacred ground however. It's the best place for words unspoken, conversations kept secret and one on one time.:)

Love your pictures..

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

This post is just awesome. Period.

Love the shots and the sentiment. Sorry I'm a week late. Hope you are having fun with Tinker Bell

The Harris Family said...

I love that you didn't unpack a thing the day you moved!! I love that you took the time to appreciate what is important to you and your family and the memories that you make together. I think my hubby would have liked to have done something like this on moving day, I can't wait to share your story!
Awesome pictures!!

Carebear said...

Just stopping by to check on you. No posts this week, makes me worry. Hope all is well and you are having such a great week that you can't squeeze in time to post!

Melissa said...

My youngest son and I spend alot of time shooting hoops and "bonding"!!! :)

GREAT PICS!!

CEvans said...

sniffle sniffle. that was a good one. :)

Kacey said...

What great pictures and a great post. You are so right. Even for Brian & I, we have always shot hoops, just hanging out. I know he can't wait for our little ones to be able to go on to that sacred ground with him.