Home Team.

I have referenced the book Bittersweet at various times throughout the last year. I imagine that this book is not for everyone, but it was just what the doctor ordered for me last winter. Jessica and I were talking about a concept that came up in the book of the "home team," and how much it had influenced much of our view on friendships, and time commitment. It goes like this:

“Everybody has a home team: it’s the people you call when you get a flat tire or when something terrible happens….These are the ones who tell you their secrets, who get themselves a glass of water without asking when they’re at your house. These are the people who cry when you cry. These are your people, your middle-of-the-night, no-matter-what people.”

My Home Team is not very big - because if it were, I would be unable to give what I want to give to each person. And since becoming a father - my time is way more limited than it ever was before. So I have to be more choosy these days, ya know? My family is the core of team, the starting lineup, but I also have some amazing friends who have believed in me, and forgiven me, and stayed patient with me. They are on the team. My Home Team is the end that justifies most of my means.

Throughout both of our lives, Jessica and I have struggled with spreading ourselves too thin (not unlike the Roman Empire), in a forever failing attempt to be all things to all people. In my case, it has made me think a lot about what I bring home to my family after a day's work of teaching. I love teaching, and I give a lot to my students. And I am proud of my work. But my students are not part of my home team. That, in and of itself, doesn't matter - unless it is directly taking away from what I can contribute to the home team. . .and sometimes it has. So in my near constant battle to achieve balance in my life - I know where I have to cut back in order to give my best to the home team.

Have you given much thought to who is on your home team?