Progress Report

Here's a quick update on the progress of my recovery:

Six weeks in a cast, 10 days in a "boot", nine days in a shoe.  Sadly, after eight weeks and five days of inactivity, 12 lbs gained.

The good news:  I've been cleared to ride a bike and/or swim (did I mention the 12 lbs?  I doubt I'll be swimming in public anytime soon.  Not a pretty sight).

But that's not what this blog post is about.  It's really about
When Kids Become Men.

This down time is KILLING me!

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When Kids Become Men

To bring you up to speed, I'll need to refer to an earlier post regarding the basketball game I missed as a result of my injury earlier that day.  UCLA vs UW, second row behind the visitors bench, Senior Night.  I entrusted the tickets to my nephew (and team manager assistant, who got me the tix in the first place) in hope that they would find a good home.

Feb 22, 2010:  "As a side note, I told Matt he could give my tickets to Quincy Pondexter, the sole Husky senior that was playing his last home game before entering the NBA draft (expected to be a first round pick).  On my way home, I was listening to his post game interview, and the radio announcer asked Quincy what was the most memorable part of his final home game experience.  Without hesitation he replied, "Not only did my mom and dad get to see me in my final game, it turned out my brother and sister got to come too."  Since those were my tickets, I had to smile to myself knowing that in the greater scope of things, I may have missed out on the largest margin of victory any Husky team has ever hung on UCLA (97-68), but for the Pondexter family, the memories of Quincy's final game will last a lifetime."

So there you go.  I miss the game, but this kid's siblings get to watch their brother say goodbye to Husky Nation.  As silver linings go, that's a good one.

So you can imagine my surprise when my nephew sent me a text message four weeks later.  "Yer not goin 2 beliv wht I hve", he wrote. "What?", I replied.  He wrote back, "Yul hv to c it 2 beliv it."

A week later my sister dropped off a package on her way to Ashland.  I opened it up and just as Matt said, I cdnt beliv it.  A framed 8 X 10 photo of the young Pondexter, flying towards the rim, ready to send the ball packing.  Inscribed with a gold Sharpie, read the following:

"To John,  Thanks a lot for the tickets.  It really meant a ton.  (signed) QP #20,  Go Dawgs"

Say what you want about these kids -- that is one decent young man.  Thanks Q!  You too, Matt ;-)

 My man, Quincy.  He's a good one.


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