Sept. 2011: Belonging

ALMOST Revisited

My son, Ben, is now eleven, but his passion to play outside is just as strong as when he was two.  At two, Ben’s favorite word was almost, and he used it to describe his endless attempts to score a basket, catch a ball, or make a goal.  He wouldn’t make the shot, but almost.  He would kick the ball a thousand times at the soccer goal, missing them all, and yet each time squeal gleefully that he didn’t make it, but almost! I would laugh, toss the ball back to him, and say, “Wow, Bud! Almost! Why don’t you line it up, and take another shot.”  Almost was the game, because it meant that we got to keep playing. Almost was the chance to stay outside, play, laugh, and be together for just a little while longer. Almost was better than making it, because the game was not yet over.  

I’m sure that the word almost is heard frequently in your own homes these days, too.  We’re not quite done with the school year, but almost. We are not yet on vacation, but almost.  

Unlike the two-year-old days, these days almost never seems good enough or soon enough. Almost winning the game or almost earning an A are understandably disappointing experiences.  Almost isn’t good enough to take home the trophy and we rarely post our almosts on social media. Almost can be the toughest of pills to swallow.  

And while I am as driven and intent on success as anyone else, I also have the fortune of being reminded by your children each day that there is an important, joyful place that almost plays in each of our journeys.  Almost keeps us in the game, values our effort, and, above all, reminds us that the process can be far more valuable than the product. 

Here we are. Almost finished with another school year.  Just a few more days, one last shot at the goal.  As you celebrate all that you and your children have accomplished this year– which I encourage you to do with enthusiasm! – love your almosts just as much. They teach us grit, resilience, and motivate us to stay in the game. We will be together again in August, ready to play and work together until those almosts turn into “Look what I just did!”.   I part for the summer with the words that I would tell Ben nine years ago after so many missed goals: “Wow! That was awesome.  It was ALMOST! I can't wait to see what you are going to do next time!”