Tonight is definitely a very bittersweet night.You all remember that Thursdays are game nights around here, right? And maybe you've picked up on the little part where we've won every game this season? Oh, and last season. And the season before that. Yeah, two years (plus) undefeated.
Until tonight. Tonight, we lost our first game in over two seasons. And that, my friends? Was a bitter pill to swallow for those boys who have been on each of these undefeated teams. We lost not because we were up against a better team, although that might be possible. No, we lost because, quite simply, we did not play like a winning team. It doesn't matter that there were a handful of boys who played their hearts out. A team is more than just those handful of boys. And when parts of the team fall apart, the whole of the team suffers. And so we lost the first high school football game since we started high school.
Have you ever witnessed anything more heartbreaking than 16 and 17 year old boys walking off the field in tears? Tears. Unashamed, unembarrassed, heartfelt heartbreak.
BUT. And you knew there'd be a "but", right?
Jock was the last player off the field tonight. He walked off with the coaches and headed into the locker room. When he came out, there was something just a bit different about him.
He had a pair of purple football pants around his neck. 
Let me explain the significance of that. The Freshman and JV teams do not wear purple football pants. No. Purple football pants are worn by one team only at this school. The Holy Grail of teams. The Varsity.
Once again, based on his performance alone and not because of anything else, my boy has earned a spot on that holiest of teams. He isn't up there just because he's a Junior. He isn't up there just because he played on the coaches Pee Wee league teams for years. No. He's going up there because he's EARNED a spot. And so tomorrow, we will be playing under those revered Friday Night Lights.
And that, my friends? Is the sweet part.
6 comments:
Woot! Awesome - I'm so proud of that boy of yours. :)
That is outstanding - you'll be the proudest mama in those stands, and you should pat yourself on the back.
congratulations to the jock!
If you want to wander down my road I’m home.
I just love your stories. Really, I am not in "that" stage of momhood yet, but I look forward to it...as long as it doesn't come too quickly. What a bittersweet moment for you man - but how SO exciting!!
Congrats to the Jock!
Congratulations! :)
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