Sense of Community

I have nothing short of admiration for the sense of community that JM Guerrero and his group undertook to organize and implement the “Kids Fishing” tournament last week end.

It gives young participants the opportunity to learn reaping the resources of the sea in these isles (beneficial hobby) while affording them the more positive buddy system with dad in a venture they both can share for life.

Yes, I feel that sense of elation seeing young boys with dad going on a fishing trip along the shore, out in the lagoon, cliffs or several miles offshore. I am sure that as these young sports fishermen build a sense of understanding and appreciation of the value of protecting our fragile ecosystem, they too would promote what most of us have rendered with the usual “lip service” bid.

It’s a tournament where our young people learn a highly beneficial hobby that teaches that they too can eat fish for the rest of their lives. It builds within each young boy a sense of love and partnership simply by being together with dad in a hobby that pays greater dividends.

Thanks JM and I sincerely wish you and your organization greater success as you turn this event into an annual affair for our young people. It’s a chance to learn a tradition that is as relevant as anything modern that has entered these isles. It’s a good hobby that would teach young boys how to eat fish for life over eating fish for a day. Congratulations!

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I trailed a young boy along the beach who followed his dad with his throw net. As his dad leaves tiny juvenile fish dancing for life on the beach, the kid was taught how to clearn it–scale and guts–using the sand. He diligently cleaned each catch, smiling as he rinses them in the water. Yes, it’s another buddy system in the embryonic stage that would enable that kid to developing into a productive member of this community. Someday when dad is gone, he’d use throw-net fishing to catch fish for his familiy bringing along his own son to learn the art of fishing with the throw-net.

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At a pony league championship game, the sense of camaraderie between parents, kids, coaches and managers is even more gratifying. I recall a pitcher winding up, delivers a wild pitch that hit his opponent on the thigh, as everybody yells out “shake hands”. It’s sportsmanship building at its best!

The batter limps to first base, grimmacing, massaging his painful thigh as the pitcher follows right behind apologizing while extending his hand for a shake. That handshake was the most powerful thing in building a good sense of character that melts the fangs of vengeance and vindiction almost instantly. At the end of the game, both kids were smiling with another handshake, one saying “nice playing” while the other says “congratulations!”

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Kids are basically good people who also want to contribute to their personal development. They may stumble here and there but they mean well for they know that mom and dad cared for them. Going off-kilter isn’t intentional as much as the fact that they too wanted to explore something new outside the home front. Most know what’s good and bad and would shy from in harms way. No matter their triumphs, successes or occasional twist with road bumps in their lives, they still need the firm hands of discipline from mom and dad. Let’s do it together!