Yes… so we’re traveling to our vacation destination, Aruba… with a 6-hour layover in Puerto Rico (don’t ask!!) and while I was sitting here-in this 5-star resort-waiting for our taxi back to the airport (really, don’t ask!!) I thought of several international, professional athletes… More specifically, I thought about my favorite international athlete (and whether or not I really had one).

After much thought (and the strong wish that I’d only carried one bathing suit [just one!] in my carry on with me for this mystical lay over-[not telling a thing]), I came to the conclusion that I really don’t have just one favorite-although I thought of someone I respected…

That would be Swiss world #1 tennis great Roger Federer. I have to give him his propers (uh, yeah, it’s slang for respect) for being the most consistently dominant force in men’s tennis. Now, just in case you weren’t up on the sports’ news, Federer was just knocked off his throne by Spaniard, Rafael Nadal, in an epic battle for the Wimbledon history books…

You know, I know these things happen, but just like in any other sport, greats come and go, but the presence of who they were at the time will remain forever. So although the king of grass (not so much sovereignty on clay for obvious reasons-he lost) is in a lull, but I’m not ready to count him out.

Long live the king!… I’m going to enjoying the best unexpected lay over ever (still not telling)!

Favorite international player anyone?

I really think Lester’s story was an inspiring one… it is another example of our inner strength to thrive and be more than what we ever imagined. The irony of his position is encouraging, too.

As a pitcher, he is the most important player on the team (I’m sure the short stop argues this statement.). A pitcher can determine the outcome of a game… Lester’s role on the field can easily be paralleled to the same traits he carried into his potentially life-ending disease (What are they you might ask?… I’m glad you asked.).

A pitcher has to be:

Accurate,

Have solid throwing fundamentals,

Dedicated,

Intelligent, and

Strong.

The traits above for this very valuable position aren’t all that a pitcher needs, but it definitely helps you to put into perspective that player on the mound and his role with the team.

So hey, do you have a “pitcher’s mound experience” where the related traits had to come into play in your own life? Hmmm… I’ll think of one to share, too!

This is a simple one today…

If it isn’t you, what is your sports enthusiast’s favorite team color(s) (If you’re not sure, the very tattered jersey that seems to always appear during a game might be a giveaway!)? I can’t wait to hear from you!

So, Hubby and I were actually talking about Tiger Woods and his crazy performance this past Monday… (wait, go back…). It’s presumed that he went out to the course and played on a broken leg (crazy, huh?) and so the sports analysts this week have gone back and forth about the depth of his passion.

Back to Hubby and I… we were discussing this and I was wondering just how smart it was for Tiger to attempt such a feat with the possibility of causing more damage. Hubby understood my point, but added that this show of courage and passion just added to the mystique of Tiger Woods.

Do you think his wife knew the extent of his injury?… Possibly. Or, he may of just passed the injury off as something small and she totally believed that to be true.

Has there ever been a time when your significant other didn’t explain the entire situation and you ended up saying, “You didn’t tell me all that!… ‘cause if you had, I would have said…”?

Honey (Baby, Dear, Sweetbuns… you get the picture), the NBA Finals are on and ________________________________________________!

Fill in the blank with your response or what your sports enthusiast’s response would be. Have fun!

The rivalry is palpable and there’s no denying the intense history between the two dynasties. The LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics are in the NBA Playoffs, starting tonight, and the feeling is in the air. Seriously, as you’re watching the game you see history peeping through the crowd. That’s where my words find their meaning-in the history.

The history I speak of is that of the likes of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, and please give an ovation for Bill Russell. The athletes are why Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garrett are able to be who they are today (Okay, let’s not ever be remised to leave Michael Jordan out of the dialogue of greatness.).

These historians of the grace and discipline of basketball are beyond compare. Words just aren’t there to describe the talent and confidence and champion that every one of these guys possess.

Today these historians sit and watch the young ones play and achieve and compete. Today I sit and watch the reasons (Magic, Kareem, Larry, Bill) why they are, indeed, able to play and achieve and compete.

Who do you offer respect and thanks to for paving the way for you?

Very easy today… it’s important that with understanding your enthusiastic sports fan side of things that the same happens for you. With this in mind, one simple question today…

What would be that important thing that you’d love your sports lover to say or do that would help to make it more conducive for you to want to watch or participate in sports with them? And, why?

We all have something. What’s yours? I can’t wait to hear your important thing!