Mom's Dream Come True

"Get in there for your brother!" the "Huskies" basketball coach said as he tapped Aaron's shoulder to bring the sophomore off the bench and onto the court during today's varsity game.

A week earlier, Aaron had traded his junior-varsity uniform for varsity colors and begun drills with a couple other sophomores, four juniors and six senior players, including Isaac. Aaron continued to start games for the JV team, scored 14-27 points per game, benchwarmed for varsity games and waited
for opportunity to knock.

When the boys came home from practice on Friday, Isaac and Aaron predicted the team's starters could score 100 points in Saturday's game. The Eagles had been blown out by 40+ points by a team that the Huskies had beaten by 40 points earlier in the season.

Few coaches allow even-greater leads and instead put in second stringers and benchwarmers. We figured this game just might be Aaron's moment.

When Dan came home from work Friday evening, he said, "I was thinking about driving to Remer for Saturday's game."
"Me too!" I said. We commanded Noah to join us; and the 2-hour drive paid off.

Shortly after the start of the second half, the Huskies gained a 40-point lead. The clock began to run non-stop. Not long afterwards, Aaron felt the coach tap his shoulder.

Aaron (#21) pulled the warmup jersey up over his head, threw it on the bench, checked in with the scorekeepers and headed onto the court smiling and slapping hands with Isaac who came off the court grinning as his younger brother got his first shot in a high-school varsity game.

"How'd you like that one, Mom?" a couple parents hollered to me. I nodded saying, "I'm waiting to see both of boys on the court playing at the same time!"

Years ago during elementary basketball, Dan and I would each head a separate way taking one or the other son to his team's Saturday basketball game. At the time, I longed for the day we'd all be together at one game watching both boys play. I figured we'd have a chance during Isaac's senior year if Aaron made the varsity squad as a sophomore. That dream died at the season's start. Eight seniors and four juniors went out for the team. Aaron came home and announced he wasn't one of the two sophomores to make the varsity cut. Due to health and personal reasons, two seniors quit the team mid-season. A month later, with three weeks until the playoffs, the coach brought Aaron on board with varsity.

The dream was resurrected, and today, realized—thanks to the team for taking a 40-point lead.

Since we were seated in bleachers directly behind the team, one mom passed along my hope to the coach. He turned around to see Dan, Noah and me all present - a first for our family this season and a first-time ever at an away game.

Soon after Aaron came out, Isaac went back onto the court. With less than five minutes left in the game, Aaron joined Isaac.

I began shooting photos but decided for a moment like this, video would work best. In a three-minute clip,

I caught

both boys

going up

for a rebound,

Isaac
scoring
two baskets

and Aaron

making

his first

varsity points!

The coach let
the brothers
finish out
the game
together.

Following hand-slaps

with the Eagles' team

and a Huskies' team huddle,

 Isaac and Aaron headed over to the bench,
caught each other's eye,
and shared a soul-brother's handshake.

I had put away my camera,
but the image of their smiles
and genuine happiness
captured this mom's heart.

Down on the floor, I congratulated them and snapped their photo with the 47-89 score on the board.

Noah popped up from behind to celebrate an historic family moment.

"Well, Mom," Aaron said,
"You got your dream!"

Indeed: A Mom's Dream Come True.






And for those interested here's the video clip: