9.13.2010

just a quiet monday night.

at a football field.

seats on the 50 yard line.

sunny and 90 at kickoff.
a picture perfect night.
a fully loaded concession stand.
a player wearing '46' on defense.
played the entire game.
no more flag football for this boy.
helmets and pads are his best friend now.

the clocked ticked on.

the lights came on.

the boys played well.

a tough loss 10 - 6.

a great start to the season.

i'm stocking up on my prilosec.

way to much excitement, right down to the last 50 seconds...

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when i looked out onto the field, i could hardly believe that justin

was old enough to be wearing all that gear, running with a helmet in hand

and understanding all the sideline signals.

when did this happen?

he was just a nameless infant at the hospital.

he was just in the er at suburban getting stitches.

he was just getting on the big yellow bus for the first time.

he was just flying to texas.

he was just graduating from elementary school.

he was just passing me in height.

he was just growing his hair long.

he was just texting 1200 times per month.

he was just running out on the field.

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i might not have recognized him if i didn't know his number.

i might have cried if i thought i could get away with it.

i might have thought that i was watching ryan run onto the field.

i might have forgot to breathe every time he was out there.

i might have prayed harder than ever before.

i might have gotten an ulcer tonight from all the extra excitement.

i might be crazy/hormonal/psycho.

i might just be a football mom?!

when did this happen??

-

heres to watching him run on the field.

heres to watching him jump in the front seat

of the van at 9:30pm tonight.

heres to hearing the excitement in his voice as

he discussed each and every play over.

heres to all those 6am practices.

heres to now. today. life.