So the time has come ...
Tonight is Carter's first football game of his senior year. ... I promise you that I do not have tears welling in my eyes as I write this. ... Sniffle. Sniffle. ... Ok, maybe a few tears. (Think: waterfall)
This is SO not the senior football season that Carter had envisioned for the past 12 months as he worked his tail off in the weight room and in the fieldhouse. He was so disappointed in how last season played out, that in November 2019 he set his mind to focus on controlling the things that were in his control. He set goals for himself and committed to becoming the best lineman he could in the offseason.
And he did. ... Night after night. Early morning after early morning. Even when he didn't want to, he got up, went to the school weight room, or to speed and strength training or to the gym, and got after it.
Since last year he's added about 30 pounds of muscle, improved his diet and nutrition and worked on becoming a better athlete. All voluntarily. All on his own. He didn't need anyone to pressure him. He placed the expectation on himself.
And then we all know what happened. ... Our lives were upended due forces outside of anyone's control. First, we found out that we weren't going to have a fall football season. Then we found out we would, but with limited fan participation and no state playoffs. ... Each of the hills and valleys of this roller coaster have brought with it many feelings. Anger, frustration, despair, elation, joy ... The lead up to tonight has given us the full gamut of emotions.
But here we are ... and the time has come.
And our little man (the "Bug"), who has given everything to football since fourth grade flag football started all those many years ago, will take the field tonight as the starting right tackle for a Moorhead Spuds football team that likely could have contended for a state championship this season.
We are choosing to embrace the possible, believe in the improbable and simply love the minutes we are given on the journey this season. ... And I can do that because I learned a lesson in faith, in adaptation, in positivity, in courage, in heart and in perseverance from Carter's example that he has given us.
No, this isn't the season that we wanted, the season that our boys deserved or worked for. But it is the season that we have, and I am grateful for it. ... And I have Carter to thank for showing me how.
So, being we can't all pack the Buffalo High School football field tonight to share our mutual support, I'd be grateful to you, if at about 7 p.m. tonight, you cast a glance upward, say a little prayer for our kids' season and send us your good vibes. ... I don't imagine this season's roller coaster is over. So we could use it, my friends.
Blessings to all the rest of you who are in the roller coaster cars before us and behind us. We are all on the same ride. ... I'm saying a prayer for you and yours as well.
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