I want to be up for the after the game show for highlights and insights .

Last night our son had a football scrimmage . Of course we were so excited to be sitting in the stands looking for our number to go in to play . As a mother , I can't describe the pleasure of knowing your child is physically able to participate , mentally able to remember the plays and emotionally stable to handle the pressures . No , my son is not the "star stand-out" . No , even with his name he is a regular Joe . But , he is playing this sport for himself . Since he is driving there is no longer the "drive home after the game talk-time ." So , we wait up to see the lights in the driveway and I am standing ready if he is hungry . Last night with a plate of hotdogs and chips , Bill sat on the couch with his slow spill of words . His dad exchanged comments with him about the defense . Bill talked about the people who got hurt . Dreading getting up in the morning and wondering how bad practice would be since they lost the scrimmage . Right in the middle of simple talk , there was a hidden nugget of knowledge . Our son suggested some of the guys are playing because of their dad . This is an important lesson in parenting . Our chldren are not extensions of our failed hopes , dreams , or our success . They are themselves . As Bill continued talking it became evident he is playing footbal for him . He is playing the position he has chosen . He is surviving the hard practices because he is wanting to be a part of the team . As a mother , there is a fine line in raising young men who can find their own manhood , not their father's . I remember when Bill was a little boy and he came home from school one day asking if he was famous or something . (He is named after his late grandad) . He said a teacher had told him his name was the same as this football coach who was killed in 1965 . I told Bill , of course you are special , but your name is just for you and you will make it famous as you grow into a young man . "A good name is rather to be chosen than riches or fame." As our long , lanky son gave us his after the game highlights , I realized I am the famous one . I am the mother of this fine , young man who I call my son . The best part of the game .