It's how you play the game...

While this post is long, it happened this weekend and is well worth reading... Kaci's grandmother, Fern, was our mail carrier and we had many conversations about Kaci and Emma and all life offers those with a special person like our girls... Please read on...

We live in a world where the news isn't always very encouraging. The economy is a mess, there's constant political bickering, and greed on Wall Street and in corporate America seems to be common place. As the old saying goes, "Winning isn't everything; it's the only thing." I could go on and on. But no matter what the circumstances, God is always in control. I just wanted to share with you what happened this passed Saturday where God's hand was definitely controlling the following situation. As you all know, our daughter Kaci's having Down Syndrome holds her back from nothing. What she may lack in physical ability is more than made up for in her perseverance and determination.

Kaci loves basketball and plays for the Inferno in the Division II girl's league with Blue Mt. Recreation basketball. This part of the league consists of girls in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Although Kaci is in 4th grade she is still one of the shortest girls on the court. We couldn't ask for better coaches than Doug Travor, Karl Laubenstine, and Frank McDonough. Coach Frank has known Kaci since she was born almost 12 years ago. Kaci's team mates are wonderful as well, always making sure she gets a chance to handle the ball and offering instruction and encouragement. The head coach of the opposing team, the Cardinals, on Saturday is Bob Moyer from Cressona. In a previous game against his team he instructed his players to give Kaci a chance to shoot. Not every coach has been that gracious.

During Saturday's game the much taller and more experienced Cardinals were beating the Inferno by the score of 22 to 2. They are one of the league's best teams. In the 4th quarter, after a few failed attempts to get the ball to Kaci, she took a pass and started dribbling along the baseline toward the basket. The Cardinals tallest player, standing well over a foot taller than Kaci, moved toward her and raised her arms but intentionally stopped about 3 feet away from Kaci. Kaci tried to shoot but the ball went straight up in the air trying to get the ball over the defender's arms. Immediately referee John Cooper blew his whistle and called a foul.

The Cardinals player smiled along with everyone else in the stands because they knew no foul was committed, but rather it was an obvious attempt to give Kaci a chance to score her first points of the season. Now came the interesting part; Kaci attempting 2 foul shots. Because Kaci is only 4 feet tall, per league rules she's allowed to move a few steps closer to the basket than standing on the normal free throw line. On average Kaci may normally make 1 out of 4 shots from this distance. Remember, she's only 4 feet tall shooting at a ten foot high basket. Needless to say, Judy and I were nervous for her and hoped she'd at least hit the rim.

The ref gave Kaci the ball, she dribbled twice and shot. Swish, nothing but net!

The fans went crazy, Judy and I had tears streaming down our cheeks, and Coach Frank stormed onto the court and swept Kaci up in his arms yelling, "Great shot Kaci. Our season is now complete!" With the crowd still cheering, our coaches called a 20 second time out so they along with the rest of the players on the bench could give Kaci "high fives" and get ready for the next play. After the time out, Kaci was directed to the line for her other foul shot.

I'm still crying, Judy was crying and praying. The ref again gives Kaci the ball, she dribbled twice and shot. Swish, nothing but net again!! More loud cheers and even more tears, but this time not just from us but also from other parents and fans in the stands as well. Oh, and one four foot tall basketball player with the biggest smile you've ever seen.

After the game Kaci was still being congratulated by the other players and their parents, still wearing that huge smile. In today's world this game may be viewed as insignificant, after all the score was now 22 to 4. But in that one moment in time, God chose to have everyone else in that gym see Kaci the way He does: as a very important and beautiful part of His creation. As a person who's worth a great deal to Him. As a person who's having one extra chromosome makes her worth more, not less in His eyes.

So on what was otherwise an ordinary Saturday at the Blue Mt. Middle School gym, God chose to show His love through the basketball "skills" of Kaci. And just as it's supposed to be, it wasn't about winning or losing, but how the game was played. God bless you and have a great day.

written by Craig Gerber, Kaci's Dad

We're cheering with you all! Lynn & all of Emma's Friends