By Alexander Hill
Personal Testimony

"But I wasn't sure why they would choose me for their coach. that was until someone mentioned to me that kids gravitate towards the people they trust, the ones who they believe to have their best interests at heart. Perhaps it was in the small pieces of advice or the tiny whispers of encouragement I demonstrated that gave them permission. whatever it was one thing was certain. I was not going to let them down.”

                                                                                                                 continued Part II...

As a child I grew up in Oakland and like most kids surrounded by family ... Grandmother, Grand father, Aunt , Uncle, Sister's, Brother and like most kids I grew up absent of a father. Although it came to bear excuses and explanations ... with a certain ignorance I subscribe to the notion that my life was as normal as any other, even without a father. But the more I learned about my father the more I realize I needed what only he could provide .... his absence.

It would be the familiar affection of my Grand Mother, Mother and Aunt that I would know first the satisfaction of love.. and it would be these women to whom I would [for love] ... petition. Women who in return would give me more of it then they would responsibility....And although I was afforded the experience of learning that growing up without a father offers some of its own rewards ... his absence was not my peace from conflict. Since I was also afforded the parity of learning that absence of responsibility is much harder to bear.

But [their] Love was Powerful because it was spoken without words and showed in the evolution of my understanding. So know wonder it would later come to study that everything I needed [as a coach] would rest there ... in Love. A love that will be best measured by how many people it reaches. A love whose energy source ......would soon power our lives.

It was the first day of practice [January 18, 2006]. I remember this as if it was yesterday, because it was also my birthday. But at 39 you long surrender from the idea of any celebration. Instead I chose to reserved any parcel of youth I had left. So those days served to having professed my age had long elapsed in time. Instead I would celebrate the quiet joy of knowing the greatest comfort of my age is also that which gives me the greatest satisfaction ... simplicity. Then again I knew today would be no simple tasks.

I've been through a lot of things in my life but for the first time I was faced with a different ... more compelling mission and for a shy second I was burdened with an almost intolerable uncertainty of not knowing ...... "Why Am I Here". The question came from the dissappointments that have been many in my life, where nothing is as good as it seems. After all we are equal to the world around us and if so then it would probably be that I would keep experiencing disappointments. That answer seemed like the pratical and ethical interpretation to everything.

Maybe because I grew up believing I can do anything, could be anything. so I spent my days dreaming I was destined to do great things. But these were the kind of dreams that too often depart from reality. There was always someone or something there to remind me that I was someone that the world cared very little about. It was this kind of unwarranted advice that would later in life connect me to the process. But for now it was hope that taught me change often comes unnoticed even by those who pray for it .... But it comes and now I find myself exposed to a completely different set of circumstances . . . "Why Am I Here".

It wasn't until I heard a small [but familiar] voice from behind say "Hi Coach Al" that I realize mine was a divine inheritance, a deep emotional conviction; "there is always someone in our presence that makes all things worth while".

As I involuntarily turned around, it was by the voice and deep regard for my own Son that I was pleasantly reminded of exactly "Why Am I Here".

"I was there because I needed to be."