I'm a loser.

"I'm a loser

I'm a loser

And I'm not what I appear to be

Of all the love I have won or have lost

There is one love I should never have crossed

She was a girl in a million, my friend

I should have known she would win in the end."

At one point in our lives we have come up on the short end and lost. If not, do you have the lottery numbers for this week's big game? Call me.

Losing is not fun, never will be; but when you learn to accept, "you can't win 'em all," I really do believe it's one of the most important lessons you can learn as a child, adult or in between. Not to say we enjoy losing—winning is much more fun—but if you can be graceful about it, others will feel much better about your good luck. You hope at least!

Living in Chicago for more than half my life, I have learned in many respects "losing is the norm" for many of our sports teams. Sure, the 90's were great for the Bulls, and this decade has been good for the Blackhawks (the White Sox won in 2005) but the Cubs, well that's a different story. They are approaching the time when no living human will have been around when they last rose the championship flag. Am I upset? Not at all.

But there are other aspects of losing that are much more difficult to accept than whether your favorite team raises the cup, trophy or flag. If you are a reader of "Snap. Shot." you are likely aware I have witnessed loss in the past couple of months; yes it is on my mind, and it's much different than losing a game, bet or piece of business. (Business is however very difficult to deal with!)

One of the most challenging things you can lose in life is a friend—especially when they were at one time, someone you trusted and told your deepest secrets. Today's blog is not about losing a friend, it's about going back to the time when you made them and cherishing you did. 

Last night, I was lying in bed with my youngest daughter when she told me about a secret she would not tell me, my wife or anyone except for her best friend. She was very sure she could do it. Well, that's for about 2 minutes. I learned, and I would be in major trouble if I gave details, that they both liked the same boy. She's 10…I am in real trouble. Again.

I learned that even though she liked this boy, and so did her friend, she was willing to give him up for her. I asked, "Are you sure?" She was. But, her friend wanted my daughter to tell him that so and so liked him; obviously nothing has changed from grade school. "What happens if he doesn't like her?" I asked. She said, "Well he will." That's confidence for you—more than that, that's true friendship.

Over the past few days I have spoken with my best friend from high school. We go way back, and it's amazing how we can both still entertain one another with our immaturity; in other words, we have not changed. Sure maybe we are older, but if traveling back 40 years is an issue for some, it's nothing for us. I am glad, however, he didn't ask if I would find out if so and so liked him or not. Although I would ask if he needed to know.

The photo above demonstrates why I came in second to last place in this year's NCAA tournament. Although I was tied for last place… my combined final score number pushed me up a notch. (Too bad..the person in last place got their money back). 

I have never been good at picking winners…but fortunately, I am really good at picking long-lasting friends. 

Thanks for stopping by.