By ANGEL KANE
Wilson Living Magazine

So as the school year comes to a close, I find myself yet again sitting in the bleachers on a Saturday afternoon.

It’s funny how children often take more from one parent than another. And when it comes to athletics, mine are 100% Kane.  

Sports have never been my thing.

As was obvious in 4^th grade gym class, when I was literally knocked unconscious when a dodge ball hit me in the face! After waking up I found my gym teacher, as well as 22 classmates, staring at me in disbelief. I realized, in that moment, I should take up reading.

So it is with great disdain for all sports that, this year alone, I’ve sat through football, cross-country, soccer, basketball, tennis and now baseball – all for the love of my children.

Honestly, I’m actually quite proud of myself for finally figuring out the difference between a touchdown, goal, basket and now… a run.

But, don’t get me wrong, I don’t care for any of it. While other parents are cheering and enjoying the event, I’m thinking about where we might stop for dinner after the game is over.

Therefore, I was quite amazed this Saturday, to finally see that when it came to sports – one of my kids – has finally inherited one of my traits.

This is our first year playing “real” baseball. Last year we did coach-pitch, but this year we’ve moved up to the real thing. And my youngest is finding it to be a pretty hard change. When things don’t go his way, he gets discouraged. And not just a disappointed face, but the full on, head down, shoulders slumped, kicking grass, throwing his cap, pretty-ticked-off-at-the-world pout.

My husband can’t stand it. “Why is he doing that?”

“Umm – he’s doing that because he struck out. Did you not see it?” I utter in disbelief that my sports-enthused hubby has missed the call.

“What are you talking about? You can’t act that way just because you are losing.”

And then it hit me. Finally! Finally!!! Something one of my kids got from my side of the family!

You see, in my family – losing is not OK. In fact, I come from a long line of seriously sore losers. We pout, stomp, complain and blame. It’s in our blood and deeply embedded in our DNA.   

My exasperated husband continued, “I’m going to have to talk to him after the game.”

And to that, I just had to laugh.

You see my friends, that gene has been centuries in the making and, try as he may, no amount of Kane blood will ever defeat it.

This season just got good!