Yesterday Anne and I learned our 14 year old grandson Keoni had been selected as a player for his high school freshman - sophomore basketball team, a goal he has had for years.
Often Keoni practices basketball six days a week and he is in excellent athletic condition. He has "wash board abs" to go with his 5 foot, six inch height, having grown four and a half inches in the past year.
Last week Keoni started high school, the same one his dad Kyle attended, which is why he chose that high school.
It is hard enough for a 14 year old to adjust to high school and to be a good student, for this is quite a transitional time in one's life and in one's body.
But in choosing this high school, Keoni is choosing one in which Kyle was a top basketball player and later, Kyle played three years of basketball at the University of Southern California (USC) for coach George Raveling.
It is my hope that Keoni doesn't attempt to match Kyle, but rather that he follows his own path, even if at some point that path does not include basketball.
Keoni is a smart young man with many gifts to offer the world. The world does not lack for basketball players.
But last night was a time of celebration, a real triumph for all of the work Keoni has invested, and he was very happy.
His parents, Kyle and Diane hosted a dinner party at a lovely Italian restaurant which was attended by Keoni's 20 month old little brother Ikaika, and by our close friends, Jamie and Laura Rosenwald and by Anne and me.
Keoni ate most of his very large pizza and his dessert of chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream was gone almost instantly.
Ikaika was Mr. Personality, laughing and talking with each of us. He ate part of a baby sized pizza.
This was a special night, and what I most remember of it was the glow of Keoni's smile as he savored what had been a wonderful day for him. That of course made it a wonderful night for each of us.
Dick
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