| #5 - Another Win For Family
 There
were numerous tournaments going on at the range. Armen (my husband) joined
the bowhunting league that had a weekly meet. This went on for 16 weeks.
The main object of the tournament was to hit animal pictures projected
on the target wall at different stances while drawing the bow. I, meanwhile
opted to join a one day FITA 450 league together with Armen. The number
450 means that one needed to shoot a total of 45 arrows divided into 15
sets. The set consisted of shooting three arrows.
The round target looked like multicolored rings one adjacent to another
increasing in diameter. The circumference became greater in size as it
changed its color. The smallest round target starts with a yellow circle
which was considered the ten pointer value. A circumferencial black line
separated each ring that followed the yellow circle and other rings. After
the yellow circle, red, blue and black were the colors that usually composed
the rings. These rings were given point values from 10 representing the
highest score down to 1, the last ring in the circle. Beyond the round
target was a zero score.
Our Bowhunters League
Kneeling L to R: Johathan Aalvarez, Armen Lagazo, Bill sabate, Felix
Soccossano.
Standing L to R: Warren Burns, Anthony Cazzorla, John LaCorte, Mike
Mauro, Joe Caputs, Frank Carbone, Walter Staszewski.
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We joined the bowhunters free style division and were divided into
groups consisting of four archers. We (Armen & I) were lucky to be
with two teenage lads, a 13 year old and a 15 year old. At the onset of
the tournament, since the two boys knew we were first times in this tournaments,
they started to explain scoring system, rules, and pointers. The camaraderie
was evident at the very star of the competition. The age gap narrowed as
the tournament progressed to the point where we were just fellow archers
trying to get a good score. The 15 year old introduced me to his mother
who was among the spectators. She was very supportive of her son, encouraging
him on each shot he made. Every time he hit a good shot he would look at
his mom for approval who, in turn readily reciprocated with a look of expectation
and joy. My heart went out to the strong bond I felt between the mother
and son. In between intermission during the tournament, I had a chance
to meet the mother.
She was a wonderful woman, friendly and very nice however, there was a
tinge of sadness about her. As we talked, she openly revealed her story.
She had two sons, the 15 year old and an 11 year old. Both had been into
archery and the eldest was also a young bowhunter. The 15 year old had
the passion for this shooting game but the younger brother had lost the
interest to continue the sport. She has recently divorced and the absence
of another parent left a big gap in their family. The Mom wanted to be
involved in her son's endeavors and wished her younger son would again
be interested in archery. The rapport between the young woman and myself
was strong. I wanted very much to do something for this nice family. I
couldn't help myself and I carefully suggested to my young friend , "You
know, I'm older than your Mom and I feel so elated that I am here competing.
I don't see why your Mom can not try this sport and be good at it? Besides
if your younger brother sees your Mom enjoying archery with you, the probability
of him picking his bow again will be greater." A wide smile ran across
his face but he said nothing. The tournament ended and I did not have a
chance to expand on my suggestion to him nor was I able to find out what
he thought of it.
The following week, the results of the one day tournament were posted on
the bulletin board. Armen took a 391 score and bagged the second place
trophy while I was content with my 347 score. As I was about to leave the
place, I spotted my young 15 yr. old friend, his younger brother and his
mother admiring a new, brightly colored bow. I greeted them with much joy!
From this young man's saved allowance, he was buying his Mom a bow. There
they were, the mother looking appreciatively and immensely proud of what
her son was willing to do for her, the son looking every bit an accomplished
man knowing in his heart that he was making his Mom happy. The moment almost
brought tears to my eyes.
As I walked away I thought to myself, "How sad that families must break
up." "Why does it have to be." But I realize that, as painful as it is,
separation is an unfortunate and much too common part of life. The important
thing is that a family can go on if the parts that are left join together
to form another whole. Archery, hopefully, will be the glue to help mend
this broken family into a whole family that could share so many important,
life sharing moments. I wish them so much happiness.
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