As we approached the gates of Whiteabbey Primary School a group of kids on the playground came up to us. They starting dabbing, laughing, and exclaiming that the basketball coach was back. They inquired if we were taking a basketball session again today. It was my first time coaching here but Ryan had been a few times. Behind the fence the kids followed us all the way up to the main entrance, chatting to Ryan about how excited they were to play basketball again and to have him back. I had never met these kids so, naturally, none of their attention was on me, so as Ryan engaged with the kids I was able to watch. It was such a beautiful thing to witness the joy that it brought the kids to see that Ryan was back. Sometimes when you coach kids it can be hard to recognize the impact you are having in their lives but to witness the love they had for Ryan and to see the joy on their faces when they saw him arriving was such a testament to the work we get to do. And while we set out to be a blessing in their lives, sometimes the real blessing is the one they have in ours.
