My church

Ive been going there since I was a boy. My church, sanctuary, and home. A preacher who taught me not only his techniques on how to hurt a guy but so much more. A father figure in a time when I really didn't have one. A person I could confess to when I did wrong. A teacher who would make sure I would have good morals and principles even if it meant beating it into me.

I grew up with cocky older brothers who would pick on me and than be consoled by younger sisters who would pick me back up. We not only went every week but everyday in our uniforms. We didn't clap with our hands, we clapped with our feet against the pads. We didn't sing, we yelled the count in harmony. We had commandments that we followed and were proud to recite it at the end of class. And we didn't shake hands at the end because we had to, we did it because we dam well respected one another every single time.

Nothing has changed since than. Perhaps thats why I feel Ive never needed a religion to follow. Ive learned all that I needed to learn to be a good person and more there. And no matter how many times I lose, I win by being lucky enough to have been with them all for so many years. That is worth so much more than any medal.