Jack

Jack has started tennis for the year. He was out the first week and half of practices due to his MCL tear but he did go to the practices. He went to the practices because they counted towards his eligibility to play once he was medically cleared. Lucky for him he was cleared to play about 4 days before the first match and he was automatically placed as varsity one player, meaning he is the best 8th grade boy on the tennis team. He is very proud of himself (so are we) and gets a lot of confidence from playing tennis. His first match he won 6-0. The next match he did not win but he played very well.  The other player was good too, so it made Jack play better as than he ever has. Really Jack needs more players like that to play against so he can improve but that will come. 

The other great thing about tennis is the coaches. There are two men, Coach C. and Coach D., who coached Jack last year in tennis and were his cross-country coaches this year. Jack has built a good relationship with them. I like the way they encourage Jack, and the way Jack listens to them. I can tell Jack feels cared about by these two men because he does not dismiss what they say. I am proud when Jack looks either of them in the eyes, gives them a big smile and thank you as he shakes their hands as we leave matches. My mother's heart appreciates the people who take the time to "see" my son.