We won
We won, just two words that can instill jubilation, smiles and celebrations.
Friday evening our HS football team resurrected themselves in a small way, they won a game again, 2-1 on the season, nope not state champs, but growing as the season progresses.
They began the game sluggish and unsure, (similar to other aspects in life) made a few mistakes in the 1st qtr. bounced back, made 2 goal line stands. went into half time leading 13-6. Clearly they were the dominant force on the field, but for some unknown reason they played down to the caliber of their opponent, again similar life story.
At the onset of the 2cnd half, they looked strong and resilient, but alas, they could not score. In fact for a few minutes they actually were tied up, giving hope to their opponent.
A couple of plays, some ferocious hits and our team gained momentum, striking down receivers, obliterating running backs, opening paths for our own runners, scoring again and again. Final score 32 us, 13 them.
I basked in the glory this team was feeling, saw the joy my son and his team mates surely deserved. Checked my sons physical condition, and then walked off the field with a huge grin.
Later when he got home, we dissected the game, broke down the highs, the lows, the turning points. I critique him a bit harsh I fear. He listens and applies it, or maybe he lets it pass on by, til it sometimes proves out right or wrong.
He is bruise and battered, sore and I am sure very happy.
Middle son is home now, we had a few games of pool after the football game and subsequent talk with the youngest. Oldest is on his way home tomorrow. Things are good here today. Even stood, or I should say, the ex even stood beside me for the 1st half of the game, the 2cnd game she has attended in the lst 2 yrs of our son. She was cordial, if not friendly, or possibly thats just the way I want to see things.
I muse to myself, at what stage am I playing now. Is it 4th and goal, 3 ticks on the clock. Or do I need to get to the locker room and regroup. Either or, I am still in this ultimate team sport of life. No individual can honestly say they made it alone. No matter how strong, no matter what measure of success, every one of us on the face of this planet , got where we are with the help or hinderance of another. Whether it be direct or indirect, we are part of a team.
Tomorrow marks a historic day, our team, though we may have faltered, has resurrected ourselves in some fashion. We have made a few goal line stands, we have beat back our opponent, and we have scored enough to make the game competetive.
10 yrs ago tomorrow, I was forming concrete for a kennel at our home. The news traveled fast and furious, jet streams cris crossed the sky, strange. The news on the radio was jumbled, my old cell phone heated with calls. The ex went into panic, as did so many in the area, gas prices rocketed, shame on those who strive to profit off of strained situations.
I continued to labor, smoothing and finishing, had to, to much was invested to let it go bad. When the evening had settled, I watched in disbelief as over a mile of cars progressed slowly up our road, headed t get cheap, though rightly priced fuel and groceries. I turned on the tube. watched, and watched over and over, disbelief, anger, resentment, even hatred. I sobbed. I became anxious, what if I had friends or even family in the carnage.
Days passed, I watched. I constructed an American flag from scrap film at work, hung it proudly over my machine, Was told to take it down. I refused.
It is there today, even though it is weathered, dusty and at times dsimal it still stands. Like many things in my life, that shred of me still stands.
Tomorrow tears will fall, rememberance will reign over this country.
Now, 10 years later, so many things have changed, some good some bad, still we remain, we have not been sent packing into the hollows of life, we have not been ostracized into futile existence. Have taken the high road through this all, I'm sure we have not, have we rolled over showing our soft underbelly, at times I think we have. Most importantly, we remain, at times clinging by our nails, holding onto what is, what was and what can be. A constant struggle
JMO but is life, our life, our countries life not very similar to a game?
God bless America, God bless my family and friends, for God has truly blessed me with a precious gift, a gift of friendship,a gift of family,a gift of children, a gift of life, and a gift of hope for a better tomorrow.
Friday evening our HS football team resurrected themselves in a small way, they won a game again, 2-1 on the season, nope not state champs, but growing as the season progresses.
They began the game sluggish and unsure, (similar to other aspects in life) made a few mistakes in the 1st qtr. bounced back, made 2 goal line stands. went into half time leading 13-6. Clearly they were the dominant force on the field, but for some unknown reason they played down to the caliber of their opponent, again similar life story.
At the onset of the 2cnd half, they looked strong and resilient, but alas, they could not score. In fact for a few minutes they actually were tied up, giving hope to their opponent.
A couple of plays, some ferocious hits and our team gained momentum, striking down receivers, obliterating running backs, opening paths for our own runners, scoring again and again. Final score 32 us, 13 them.
I basked in the glory this team was feeling, saw the joy my son and his team mates surely deserved. Checked my sons physical condition, and then walked off the field with a huge grin.
Later when he got home, we dissected the game, broke down the highs, the lows, the turning points. I critique him a bit harsh I fear. He listens and applies it, or maybe he lets it pass on by, til it sometimes proves out right or wrong.
He is bruise and battered, sore and I am sure very happy.
Middle son is home now, we had a few games of pool after the football game and subsequent talk with the youngest. Oldest is on his way home tomorrow. Things are good here today. Even stood, or I should say, the ex even stood beside me for the 1st half of the game, the 2cnd game she has attended in the lst 2 yrs of our son. She was cordial, if not friendly, or possibly thats just the way I want to see things.
I muse to myself, at what stage am I playing now. Is it 4th and goal, 3 ticks on the clock. Or do I need to get to the locker room and regroup. Either or, I am still in this ultimate team sport of life. No individual can honestly say they made it alone. No matter how strong, no matter what measure of success, every one of us on the face of this planet , got where we are with the help or hinderance of another. Whether it be direct or indirect, we are part of a team.
Tomorrow marks a historic day, our team, though we may have faltered, has resurrected ourselves in some fashion. We have made a few goal line stands, we have beat back our opponent, and we have scored enough to make the game competetive.
10 yrs ago tomorrow, I was forming concrete for a kennel at our home. The news traveled fast and furious, jet streams cris crossed the sky, strange. The news on the radio was jumbled, my old cell phone heated with calls. The ex went into panic, as did so many in the area, gas prices rocketed, shame on those who strive to profit off of strained situations.
I continued to labor, smoothing and finishing, had to, to much was invested to let it go bad. When the evening had settled, I watched in disbelief as over a mile of cars progressed slowly up our road, headed t get cheap, though rightly priced fuel and groceries. I turned on the tube. watched, and watched over and over, disbelief, anger, resentment, even hatred. I sobbed. I became anxious, what if I had friends or even family in the carnage.
Days passed, I watched. I constructed an American flag from scrap film at work, hung it proudly over my machine, Was told to take it down. I refused.
It is there today, even though it is weathered, dusty and at times dsimal it still stands. Like many things in my life, that shred of me still stands.
Tomorrow tears will fall, rememberance will reign over this country.
Now, 10 years later, so many things have changed, some good some bad, still we remain, we have not been sent packing into the hollows of life, we have not been ostracized into futile existence. Have taken the high road through this all, I'm sure we have not, have we rolled over showing our soft underbelly, at times I think we have. Most importantly, we remain, at times clinging by our nails, holding onto what is, what was and what can be. A constant struggle
JMO but is life, our life, our countries life not very similar to a game?
God bless America, God bless my family and friends, for God has truly blessed me with a precious gift, a gift of friendship,a gift of family,a gift of children, a gift of life, and a gift of hope for a better tomorrow.
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