Run like ya just stole sumthin ...

Aug. 12, 2006 - Run Like Ya Just Stole sumthin'
says coach Jody! In his thick Georgia accent! I had to explain what he meant after the first practice!

This is AJ's first season of competitive sports since he was five and said, "Mom, I don't think my coach is having fun." And, he was right.

So, we moved to non-competitive teams associated with various churches. AJ loves it all ... basketball, flag football, soccer and baseball. Some more than others, but all more than math! And, he's always been very good. Praise abounded ... it's how we ended up playing tackle football this season. His baseball coach asked him to come play football for him.

The coaches and other daddy's keep reminding us that we aren't in the "Go God" league anymore. (We are very fortunate that we have coaches that pray with the team at every game, every practice ... every event). And saying things like "hit him with the intent to do harm" and "I want to see you hit him so hard that you could do jail time in some states!" ... and if you know AJ, it just isn't him. He wants to play. He wants to hit. He wants to start on this football team and be as good as coach Mike told him he could be ... and yet, when he's faced with another boy running at him, he just can't bring himself to deliver the blow. At first, I thought he was afraid of getting hurt ... and after a ton of money and discussing that possibility for hours upon end before we started this new venture, I was annoyed and told him. To which I was shot a look like I rarely get from him of hurt mixed with anger ... he immediately informed me that he really didn't care if he got hit, infact, that was "awesome, but Mom, they keep putting me up against the littler guys and I'm afraid I'm going to hurt them." Well, how do you argue with that ... except that it's wrong thinking in this particular world. A world that goes against everything we've ever taught him about hitting and sharing and thinking about littler kids and the list goes on and on. So, he practiced against littler, slower guys and got beat like crazy all over the field today. He was embarrassed and frustrated and wanted a chance to go out and do it again ... but as often happens, there was no second chance today. (It made me think of myself and the times when I've hesitated to say something or do something for a split second and the opportunity is over ... and there's no second chance). But on Monday ... they compete for positions.

I'm not sure what will become of AJ and football. This is however one thing I'm glad I let him decide on his own. The lessons are going to be hard ... and come with a bruised chin, a mesh patterned mark on his chest from being hit so hard, a banged up ego and a toughened spirit.

I hope mama comes out of it okay too!