Mmmm… The Scent of Leather!
Basketball fellowshipping straight from the mouth of a “Young at Heart” Blogger
Date: August 29, 2010
Time: 2:30PM
It seemed only yesterday as I can still literally feel the leather ball between my shaking hands. I can’t seem to express the fantastic emotion I have long kept in my heart until I sunk that first practice throw from the hardly visible free throw line. My heart pumped wildly while my spirit relentlessly begged for more this time trying out the dreaded 30-foot quarter corner rainbow. The 2-year furlough from the hard court increased the odds of making the big count but I just tossed the ball anyway just to locate if the long shot memory back muscles are still there despite the stiffness and the post stretching pain. I know it’s just there waiting to be rediscovered and operate into what could be a squaring off with a long lost “love affair” with basketball.
Being gone for most of the part, I was requested by Bishop Luis R. Santos to lead the prayer before the game. Yes, I did say a very short but powerful prayer and deep inside I whispered to God to encourage me with an exciting game…and He did not fail me. I wasn’t really playing hard but I was playing well. After making an under goalie, Bishop Luis who was playing for the other team came to me in a huddle inquiring if I was practicing alone. Although it was not quite the exciting seesaw game I expected, we were gracious after victory. The second game was a mismatch in our favor.
The Scent of Leather
Mmmm…the scent of leather! The smell of that dark leather ball would not seem to go away with each release I make for the ring after the aim. But I never bothered to shake it off as I found the sweet familiar smell both endearing and hypnotizing as if luring me some more each time I make the practice shot. That light and soft bouncy “Wilson” indoor leather ball could really prevail on you to try it out on the actual game and find out if you still have both the form and the brawn to carry it around the court without catching your toe. The rusted coordination on top of squeaky joints would show instantly if you have the wrong ball for the comeback game of your life.
But this leather ball was different in a sense that it kept me agile and dominating despite being winded in between the breaks. It was to me a special piece of leather ball. I finally summoned the courage to ask, “Whose ball is this?” When the eyes of many pointed to the rightful owner, I then began understanding why this ball was so special as if egging me on to play basketball again and have fun with all the familiar faces I see during Sunday Service…to come to the fellowship reunion with the same guys who 10 years back gave me selective attention, company and encouraged me to hang on when I was new in church. The group that will always have a special place in my heart because we will always be literally young together on and off the court… The Young at Heart!
The Young at Heart
Headed by no other than one of the most reliable vanguards of the church, Brother Bob would always make the time for the weekend sport not only to catch up with very familiar faces but because it is always a special moment with Bishop Luis, Mr. Basketball and Mr. 3 Pointer himself and with the young boys club. The extreme cardiac moments of the games, the fun and laughter and even the eating binges with Bishop Luis and the Young at Heart kept me young and vibrant but haunted me to end as well when I was in Africa. Missing the group fun seemed like torment until I got back into the game. The mere thought of playing again kept me alive and wanting to see old friends who to me have become real blood brothers despite the long absence. Bishop luis, Brothers Bob, George, Mat, Jun, Jess, William, Roger, Basil, Cesar, Leo and the rest of the younger players who obligingly add some speed to the now slower games and whose names I can’t put together, always make my day.
Boys Just Want to Have Fun
So if you want to have fun while being spiritually encouraged and physically revitalized, you know where to find the Young at Heart. They are the male Achievers who stand up front of the Cuneta Astrodome stage during Sunday Service to give God the glory and the praise. Come join us for weekend basketball and smell that sweet leather in your hands. Like me, even the scent of Bishop Luis’ official NCAA indoor composite “Wilson” leather ball, keeps my blood pressure on the level and my spiritual sense keen while pushing my physical conditioning more intense. Mmmm…the scent of leather!
If you are an Achiever who wants to stay young at heart, please contact Brother Bob at 09186677777 and start your physical and spiritual journey on course and on the groove.
