Rant #2,147: Good Thing

First, congratulations to the newlywed royals. I know they read this blog each and every day, and that they would appreciate our blessing of their union.

May they live long and procre ... err, prosper!

Now on to much more important matters.

This was pretty much one of the few dull weekends my family and I have had in recent memory.

We did what we had to do, and then, we got a chance to relax a bit.

Really, the only thing we did of note was go to our son's bowling league to see the 2017-2018 season off.

For whatever reason, this season was about a month shorter than last season, but it was a good season for my son and his team.

They finished in third place this season after a last place finish the year before.

Our son's average went up 12 points, to a 126.

And all the kids had fun, and I know our son--the middle guy in the photo, with his team--certainly did.

This is a pretty unique league, in a pretty unique program.

It is put on by the Nassau County, New York, Police Athletic League's Special Needs Unit for those people, aged from about 15 or 16 up through their 30s, who have mental, physical or emotional handicaps.

A lot of times, these people grow up with big targets on their backs.

They are often looked down upon by their peers, and yes, bullied and made fun of because of who they are.

But in this league--and the variety of other sports leagues and activities that fall under this program--these young men and women are all on an even keel.

They are allowed to be themselves in a non-judgmental way, and also, to be competitive with each other on various sports fields, which makes them pretty much like any other person who strives for sports competitiveness in their own lives.

And don't get me wrong. The people in this league are as sports-competitive as anyone, and there are actually several excellent bowlers in this league, some averaging in the 160s and bowling into the 200s.

Our son is very shy and quiet--he doesn't speak to to many people unless he knows you well--and he is still learning the social graces of the world at age 22.

In his life, he has been the victim of those who have taken advantage of him because of his demeanor. This has happened when he is in school and more recently, outside of school, where some unscrupulous individuals see him as an easy mark.

But in this league, he doesn't have to even think about such things, and, of course, the main thing here is to have fun, which I believe he does.

My wife and I are so proud of our son, and the leaps and bounds he has taken as he become a more mature adult. He still has a long way to go, but he is on the path now, what with a regular job and an increasingly mature attitude about things.

He is still very quiet, and I think that puts off a lot of people, even among his peers.

But he manages to excel, even in the face of adversity, and we know that he will continue to grow.

And this league has helped him do that.

So congratulations to all the participants in the Saturday afternoon bowling league, have a good summer, and we will see you next season.

And to me personally, that is all much more important than just about anything.