Joining the Bocce League-My Right of Passage

I moved back to my hometown of Mechanicville a couple of months ago and I couldn't be happier. A lot comes with moving back to where you grew up and in my case it involves bocce.

Ever since I could lift the balls, bocce has been a part of my life. My grandfather was one of the founders of the Italian Fraternal Society in Mechanicville where the bocce courts were installed. My grandmother was in a bocce league until she was 97. My mom is the current president of the women's bocce league now so it was only natural that I would join a team and play.

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This past Tuesday was the first night of the Mechanicville bocce league for me. It's so nice to see many of the ladies that I know from growing up in my small town. To their credit, they still love to get together and play bocce on Tuesday nights. There are eight teams with four to a team so the turn-out is high. Plus, it gives these ladies something to do while sharing stories and showing pictures of their children and grandchildren.

I have to admit, I was hesitant to play at first. I mean I grew up on these courts watching my grandfather, my grandmother, several cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and family friends celebrate and come together to play bocce. But then I realized it was sort of a right of passage.

On Tuesday night I embraced it and had so much fun. I knew all of the ladies there and they made me feel so comfortable. Oh and I actually played well. It's awesome being back in my hometown of Mechanicville but really cool that I am in the bocce league.