Connor played football again this year, and Rick, as always, was one of his coaches. Their team had a really rough season, only winning one game, but sometimes I think kids learn so much more from losing than from winning. At one of the last games, I sat and listened to a dad talk about what a waste of a season it had been, and I felt so bad for him (actually I was mad, the feeling bad for him came later!). He was missing the whole point of having your child play on a team. Connor and his football team ate lunch together every day - they had a spot that they all met at and everyone was welcome. In 7th grade, when kids feel out of place and self conscious, every boy on that football team had someone to eat lunch with and feel comfortable around. That to me equals success! One of the smaller boys on the team was being bullied a little, Connor and a few of the other big boys on the team found out about it, went together to the bullier (I know that's not a word but doesn't it give you a visual), and very forcefully told him to leave their teammate alone. The bullier understood the message and never touched the boy again. That to me also equals success! A lot of weekends we would have quite of few of the boys from the team over hanging out with Connor, and I would watch the respect and love they had for Rick, their coach. Again... success. When the boys won their last game, instead of being rude or cocky to the losing team, they shook their hands and told them good job because they knew how they felt. Success.
I am so thankful for this season of football. A lot of lessons were learned. I'm thankful for the coaches and the time they give to these boys. I'm thankful for the good boys on the team, and the good friends they are to Connor. I also am so thankful this season is over. Hopefully we have learned from it and next season will be A LOT better!
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