Summer freeze brings big decisions to make

BY TIM DEVANEY
Your Sports editor

The summer’s approaching and I’m freezing up, stuck in neutral with no idea what to do. I have multiple job options, but this is more than just a case of picking the best route. This is a battle between taking advantage and not missing out.

Recently, a representative from the Pistons organization contacted me about a summer internship and I have an interview soon. The job’s not in the bag by any means, but I’m already weighing the possibilities. I’m excited that I could get a chance to work with the Pistons, but I’m not even sure I want it, and if I’m not sold on the position, how can they be sold on me? This internship seems unbelievable, but there are more important things than one’s career, and that’s making me doubt the position.

I want to spend the summer with my family in Maine, and if the internship works out, that won’t happen. I only have a couple summers left as a college student. Then it’s off to the real world, where I may work summers. So what kind of family time will that leave me?

My little sister is growing up, and I don’t want to miss it. I remember not too long ago when she was born. And now she’s almost 10 years old. Years ago, it seemed like she was my whole world and I would spend all day playing with her. Not that I enjoyed the same things she did, but I loved her, and if that meant giving her piggyback rides, playing Barbies – I know you’re paying attention now – or taking her to the park, then I would. Whatever it took. I just wanted to take advantage of the time I had with her. She misses me very much while I’m at school and every time I talk to her she asks when I’m coming home. We’re looking forward to seeing each other during the summer, but it may not be that way for many more years, and I don’t want to miss any of the time I have left.

My brother and I haven’t always gotten along very well, but we still care about each other. I’m proud of the steps he’s taken to lose 60 pounds over the past two years. But he’s growing up, and while I can still remember his toddler years, he’ll be an adult soon enough.

My dad, who taught me his love for baseball, struggles to play catch anymore. And my mom is developing severe arthritis. Then there’s my dog, Sam. Not that a dog will make up my mind, but man, I love him, and I want to chase him around the backyard some more, before it’s too late.

So where does that leave me? I want the internship, but I don’t want to lose this summer, away from my family. The cost has never been too high before, but this time it just might be. I know I have to grow up, but that doesn’t mean I have to neglect these years. Where’s the balance?

I’ve planned on getting the best internship possible this summer, but I feel an urgency to not waste these last few summers away from my family. Not that the Pistons would be a waste – just the opposite, in fact – but being away from my family seems like a mistake. Ultimately, God will guide me to the right place, and I need to accept His plan.

The pieces seem to be falling into place, but I’m stuck at a fork in the road, because each choice is a good, and each choice is bad. No matter what I chose, it seems that I’ll lose, but I’ll also win. So I’m stuck in neutral until something happens, praying for answers. I’m sure God will work something out. I just need to listen.

This award-winning column was published in The Herald during the spring of 2008. It won first place for sports columns in the Michigan Press Association's college contest.