Friends,

Summer has a way of reminding us what matters most.

For many of us, it’s a season of vacations, family gatherings, road trips, and stepping away from our normal routines for a little while. This week, I’m writing to you from the east coast, where I came to spend a few days with my dad.

Living on opposite sides of the country means I usually only get to see him once a year. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned not to take those visits for granted. The conversations seem a little richer, the stories a little funnier, and the time together a little more valuable than it was years ago.

But being away also reminds me how much I miss home. And by home, I don’t just mean my house. I mean all of you. Every Wednesday afternoon, I know exactly what I’m walking into at bowling.

Eric and Marilyn are ready to talk football before the first ball is even rolled. Sean, Arayah and Jimmy greet me with huge smiles that somehow make every week a little brighter. Krystian always has the latest news from the world of Sonic the Hedgehog. Giselle proudly shows me her newest nail color. Josselyn isually has a nickname that she absolutely be known as for the day. Devyn is still convinced that if I just give K-pop one honest chance, I’ll become a fan. Mathew catches me up on everything new happening at The Living Desert.

And that’s not even half of our crew. By the time bowling is over, I’ve laughed more than I probably should have while supposedly “working.”

Then there’s Sunday boccia.

Right now, the excitement is building because in just a few weeks we’ll have five athletes representing themselves, California and SoCal Adaptive Sports at the USA Boccia National Championships. We couldn’t be prouder of them.

Of course, nationals aren’t the only topic of conversation. One of our athletes recently became a grandma, so we’ve all been celebrating with her. Someone is always questioning my playlist for the day, and without fail, there’s at least one spirited debate over whether I measured correctly to determine if the red or blue ball is actually closer to the jack. Apparently, everyone thinks they could do my job just a little bit better.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

People often ask me what makes SoCal Adaptive Sports special. They expect me to talk about the sports, the competition, the medals, or the programs.

Those things matter.

But what really makes this organization special are the relationships. It’s knowing that when someone misses a week, everyone notices. It’s celebrating birthdays, new grandchildren, personal victories, and milestones together. It’s laughing over inside jokes that nobody outside our little community would understand. It’s realizing that somewhere along the way, athletes became friends, caregivers became extended family, and work stopped feeling like work.

As grateful as I am for this time with my dad, I have to admit—I can’t wait to get back.

I miss my Wednesday crew. I’ll miss my Sunday boccia family this week. And I’m looking forward to hearing everything I missed while I was gone.

I hope your summer gives you the chance to spend time with the people who make your life richer. Because if this trip has reminded me of anything, it’s that while places are important, it’s the people who make them feel like home.

Onwards,

Chris Allen
Executive Directer
SoCal Adaptive Sports