As many of you know, I'm a little "nuts" about my kids.  Some of you have been especially patient with me about my "passions", more commonly known as "The Golden Child" (Audrey, second to the right, jumping into a teammate's arms) and "My Son, My Sun" (Ben).

Tom, (of Tom & Darcy) drew an analogy recently about the Red Sox (another one of my passions) and the Rockies.  I want to draw another, here.

Our Bourne High School volleyball team was given an ice chip's chance in Hades of even having a winning record this year.  They lost all of their "superstars" to graduation and college.  A very young and rather inexperienced team showed up on the court at the beginning of the season.  They struggled at the beginning of the season.  Yet.....

They have a wonderful coach, who made them believe that they had the most potential of any team he had ever coached.  True or not, he made them believe they had it in them to win it all.

He demanded that they all go buy a book, The Winner Within by Pat Riley.  Now, I'm not a big Laker's fan(HellOOOO....Celtics!)  but I always loved Pat Riley.  One of the best coaches, in any sport...ever.

Anyway, our "goils" read The Winner Within.  Their coach gave them homework on the book and what it meant to them, chapter by chapter.   In individual interviews with the local press, they have all given credit to their coaches and this book, which based on these excerpts of Audrey's essay, may be required reading for us all, as Agents:

"(We) might be the underdogs, the team that nobody thought would amount to anything, but (we) sure as hell amount to something.  And there's nobody who can tell us differently.  We are not only a team of talented athletes, but also a team of amazing people. We have our differences, but will never let those get in the way of the goal it is our mission to accomplish.  We have the strength, both physically and mentally, and the burning desire to reach for things that others may think are impossible.  But 'impossible' means nothing.....we find it in our undeniable will for success and achievement.  No regrets, no doubts and no lack of confidence."

This group of "ladies" (who didn't have a prayer) swept the quarter-finals, took the semi's to five games, and won. Took the finals to five games, against their nemesis (undefeated) , and won.

They now advance to the next level....tomorrow night...

I asked Audrey to dig out that book by Pat Riley....I think I have to read it.  Maybe we should all read it.