Our Friday was pretty much dedicated to attending the state high school volleyball tournament so we could watch Cortney and her team compete.  It worked out quite nicely that I could leave the office.  And we decided to take advantage of the logistics and stop in American Fork and have a big lunch at the Rodizio Grill.  The rest of the night was all volleyball and we didn't get back home until after 10.  It was a real thrill for me and for grandma to watch the matches.  Cortney was the reason that we went and we were proud (in the good way) to be there with her.  Her team won the first match which was pretty close, but nothing like the second match which they lost in the fifth set 18-16!  I felt badly for them, but then that is the nature of sport here on this earth.  These earthly contest have a winner, and they have a loser.  But being a loser is not what some make it out to be.  Imagine playing almost two hours and the least margin of victory (18-16) determines the outcome.  But it can never really determine real winners.  They are defined by their participation and there progress and their heart.  In 'real' life there is more then wins and loses which go into becoming champions and winners.  They will compete again today and have more opportunity to compete with others against themselves in their effort to become better,  better athletes, better teammates, and better people, especially better people.  And as an unbiased grumpa I note that my granddaughter is a real winner at all of those.