IN-COURAGE: February 2011

Monday, February 21, 2011

Primary Colors

Its been a hard week in Keene Country. Unless you live it, you cant understand the grieving process a coaches family goes through when the season ends. We didn't lose by the lack of heart. We didn't lose by the lack of preparation. We just lost to a better team. Tell that to the little scorekeeper.

I picked Justice up from school on Wednesday. He was very quiet in the back seat. I said, "Whats wrong buddy?" I notice in the mirror Justice has two little tears going down his cheek. "Mommy, I wanted to go to Redbird." I said, "Justice, we will. Daddy and I will take you this year. We can watch the games." Justice put his fist up in the air and exclaimed in this moment of passion, "NO--I only want to go with the Chargers--I will wait until then!" Wow, at that moment, I realized his heart was broke. He was angry. Not to mention his fathers heart was a little torn too. I hate feeling helpless. When I dropped Justice off at home after school, I got out of the car and hugged him. This time he actually hugged me back. Yeah, I am not to proud to say I drove back to work with tears in my eyes that turned into the total ugly cry around Grant Street.

Once upon a time the Keene's were purple and gold. We didn't look to be blue and white, they found us. And what a great ride. After being blue and white, we never thought for a minute we would be orange and blue. Now on the finale of another season I have to wonder what life has in store for this coaches family. I believe in supernatural paths. Coach and I both have very interesting career stories of how we got to where we are today. God has a plan. Our story is one piece of evidence.

Justice Keene I promise you, we WILL play in the big game someday. And we will win it all. What colors you, me and Cameron will be in behind the bench is a mystery. The only thing I can tell you is it will be well worth the wait.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Monday, February 14, 2011

Dream BIG

Have you ever seen the movie Dreamer? A down-and-out horse trainer is given an equally broken-down, but once great racehorse, as severance pay. It will take the unwavering faith and determination of his daughter to bring these two damaged souls together in a quest to win the Breeder's Cup Classic. Love these kind of "feel good" movies! I love it when the underdog prevails...

Coach Keene is a dreamer. A motivational dreamer. He can drive the team and energize the players to believe anything is possible. The huddle is where the dream begins. The hardwood is where the dream comes true.

Justice Keene takes in every word during these sacred time outs. The players listen to a piece of the dream, even when its hard to hear. A quality coach does not always tell you what you want to hear, but tells you what you need to hear. I believe Justice will be the next "dreamer" in the family. Keene's love basketball, it's just in their blood. I am not sure who is more intense, Coach or JC?

Tomorrow night we play for the sectional title. 26-2 is beyond respectable. Young chargers all over Hancock County will pretend to make the game winning shot against QND. Tomorrow night orange and blue will get that chance. I anticipate it will be a fight till the end.

No matter how the story ends this 2010-2011 season--just like the famous line in the Dreamer movie--You are a great champion. When you ran, the ground shook, the sky opened and mere mortals parted. Parted the way to victory, where you'll meet me in the winner's circle, where I'll put a blanket of flowers on your back...

Already made a date with "my dreamer" at Redbird Area in the winner's circle. Biggest question, which suit to wear when we win a state title. It always goes back to pinstripes or solids. :)