A Basketball Legacy

by Jessica R.

A gift that is passed down from one generation to those that follow is called a legacy. Lisa Jura received a musical legacy that practically saved her life. She received it from her mother. But for me, it was different, a different legacy and from another person. The love and skill of playing basketball was the legacy passed down to me from my father.

Having a passion for basketball probably won't save my life like Lisa's musical legacy did, but that doesn't mean it's not important to me. Playing basketball is a good way to spend time with my friends and family. It also keeps me fit and competitive. Hopefully that will help me out later in life.

When Lisa was angry, aggravated, confused or sad she would go down into the basement of 243 Willesden Lane and play the piano. When I get frustrated with school or family or if I get down, I go into my backyard and shoot around (shoot the basketball or shootin' the J, whatever you'd like to call it). It takes off some pressure because I focus on getting the basketball into the net, not on anything else. So it's as if I'm in my own world, just me.

Lisa did end up passing the musical legacy onto her children and they did the same. I hope that I am able to do that some day too. My father passed it down to me by playing the sport with me as a child, but you have to have a spark inside you for any skill or hobby. When I have children, I will play basketball with them and try to get them to enjoy it as much as I do. But you can't force someone into doing something that they do not want to do and enjoy it. If they don't have the same passion for basketball that I do, it's okay. They might like another sport. have another skill, or enjoy a hobby that maybe I also do.

I know basketball most likely won't save my life or change it greatly, but I still love it.

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