Friday night lights

My son had his first varsity football game this past Friday night. It was a barn burning show-down between our big rivalry, the neighboring county, Franklin. No my son is not the big starter. The big bruiser. The play maker, yet. He is a sophomore linebacker. His day will come and I want to be there when it does. The final score was 24-21 our favour. It came down to the final seconds before we could count it a victory. My husband is a former, died in the wool, burns to his soul, bucks his chest, becomes teary eyed, spits the fire of competition, older, used to be football player. He always likes to watch the players eyes as they walk unto the field. He made eye contact with our son as he walked through the gates. After the game, in the emotional chiaos, people yelling, hugging, jumping and being united by the win, I saw my son's face. The smile of victory and the thrill of being a part of the team. His cleats did not touch the field but that field touched him. I saw young men who decided the commitment wasn't for them this year. I saw young men who chose freedom, partying, less discipline, rather than the work involved to be a part. I saw regret in these faces. The moments of pleasure they may have enjoyed after school did not seem so great in the face of this night. There was not a jersey to be worn with pride because of the work involved. On the ride home my son told me the lights and the field was the greatest experience. He said, "I am hooked mom. You can't explain it how it feels. I just could not believe I was on the sidelines with all the excitement." Just a game, many will say. Just a score, sportswriters will write. No it is more. It is life. It is the choices that young people make. It is determination. Commitment and desire that forms relationships and a bond that others wish they had. It is under the lights on Friday nights. The hashmarks on green turf and the hashmarks of life. It was a memory. It was exciting. It was a five dollar ticket and a load of fun. The boys who missed out. They bought their own ticket before the season began.