My name is Kathy Nickerson, and I live on Mercy Street – physically and figuratively.

A Lesson from Lebron

July 9, 2010 Kathy 6 Comments

John Michael with his hometown team.

On Thursday afternoon, I asked our ten-year-old grandson, John Michael, “So, where do you think Lebron James will end up after his big announcement tonight?” (In case you are sports-challenged like me, I’ll fill you in from what I learned on Fox News. This guy is earning as much as the gross national product of a small country in exchange for slamming a basketball through the hoop. Everybody wants him on their side. And on Thursday night he bought an entire hour of prime time t.v. to announce his choice. In his defense, the add sales from the show did go to charity.)

After my question, John Michael stopped eating his ice cream and studied the ceiling a minute. Then said, “Well, I don’t know for sure what he’ll do, but I kind of hope he stays in Cleveland.”

His mother asked him why, and I waited for some strategic answer about team stats and career opportunities. Instead, John Michael said. “Well, Papa doesn’t really like it when all the best players leave their home teams when they get big. And I think that, too.”

Then he went back to his ice cream.

I don’t really care one bit where Lebron James plays basketball. But I love to the zillionth degree that John Michael agrees with his Papa. In that one second answer, I saw a boy being shaped into a man of integrity, character, loyalty, and honor by a simple conversation about basketball with his father.

Go, team.

Uncategorized, family, happy endings

6 Comments → “A Lesson from Lebron”

  1. Leslie Shier 2 months ago  

    I love it!

  2. Serenity 2 months ago  

    Oh, how I love this!

  3. Kathy Nickerson 2 months ago  

    Thanks girls. Doesn’t this make you glad you married good men?

  4. Becky Ramsey 1 month ago  

    Kathy, I love this story. It’s fascinating/heart tugging to watch how little boys really examine what their daddies say and how they think, and then accept that wisdom for themselves.
    Very cool.
    :)

  5. Kathy Nickerson 1 month ago  

    Thanks, Becky. I really love what you are doing with your blog right now. Thanks for stopping by mine.

  6. Cheri' White 1 month ago  

    What a precious story! And what a great tribute to Michael! He’s doing a great job raising his three boys and it shows! Loved this post!!

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