You know, one very real reason why I love sports is because so much of it parallels real-life situations. And, within sports, you are most certain to find your story.

All day I was lamenting (Well, that’s a bit extra, but we’ll stick with it.) over the fact that the Chicago Cubs had been eliminated from the playoffs. Yet again, the Cubbies just couldn’t pull through. They couldn’t break the century-long drought of just not making it to the World Series (Hey, Troy over at Troy’s Thoughts on Sports has a, let’s say, “different” view of the Cubs’ blues in Knocking Down Chi-Town, but a great view all the same…). I took in all the commentators’ analysis and I was struck by a common saying, a common thread if you will… Wait ‘Til Next Year…

Although I know the players and the die-hard fans are foaming at the mouth over the phrase, I thought of how much that phrase has resounded in my own life of falling just a bit short-whether big or small-of that particular goal. Seriously, it may sound funny (in a sad way!), but I thought of when my dad was late picking me up so I could make it in time for my high-school senior ski trip and how miserable I was all weekend… thinking, “maybe next year”. But, there wasn’t a “next year” (Yes. I’m over it now… Let’s just not stay on the topic too long!). So many memories sprung up within me as I pondered on hopes deferred and dreams delayed. What I also realized was that patience was indeed working itself out within me and that I needed to allow it to happen.

Self analyzing is always the truest way of getting to know the real you… good and bad. And like with this process, the Cubs (in a real way) will need to do the same in order to figure out just what the deal is… You never know, Cubbies… next year!

This week we’ve seen sporting events, of sorts, and what I’m about to share is no different… We ventured into the lagoons of Mexico, where we saw men and women living and surviving. I thought to myself that this survival technique was indeed a severe sporting event (and, a humbling one for us), as the natives competed to be first to get fish and other scavenger-like foods for them and their families.

The people were so friendly and offered to share what they had… I don’t think we’ve ever experienced such kindness and sacrifice… They make you feel welcomed and all they want to do is make sure you’re enjoying yourselves. Our captain even let me man the boat for a while, which I was no good at (The picture shows my inadequacies!). People here really believe in the adage, you don’t work; you don’t eat.

We left the lagoons feeling grateful and fortunate for the smallest of the small…

So we know about the Hispanic culture in MLB, Football, Soccer, and other renowned popular sports (Wait for it… Wait for it…). But, I’m sure you weren’t aware of a certain pastime that is all the craze in Acapulco, Mexico (No, not bullfighting.). Today, Hubby and I and the in-laws ventured to the ends of the cliffs (I’m building excitement here.), yes the ends–to see what all the hype was about… it was diving going on (No, not the type of diving that occurs in the Olympic-sized pool.)! Yep! Men risking their lives in the sporting event of jumping off cliffs. We had to capture it because we knew no one would believe us when we said, “Men dived off of uneven cliffs into raging ocean waters.”

Mom-in-law and I couldn’t resist getting a photo with the diving celebs.

Warning: Hubby’s camera is older, but shows the action from beginning to end… so please excuse the poor quality.