SPORTING

Youth athletics dominate the extra-curricular terrain of middle class America.

Been that way for a while, I think. And there is a subtle (imagined?) sub-narrative to it all: “If you can hack it, hang with us, maybe even excel at sports...you will be accepted.”

It’s a societal exit exam. Do well in sports as a kid, you’ll probably do OK in life.

Athletics didn’t take with the two oldest. We tried. It just...didn’t take.

I wonder if they felt detached from their bodies and minds as they ran around rye grass fields kicking and hitting and throwing. I wonder if they watched me on the sidelines and thought: “What gives, Dad?”

Today I wish I had it back...the practices, games (not that there were that many). I wish we’d spent that time cutting trails in the woods and building tree house forts and hiding out.