I thought that I would write a little about the new opportunities I have had over the last couple of days. My wonderful husband took me to Atlanta to see what was quite possibly the worst showing of the Clemson Tigers in my memory. I will try to make sure that ugly display does not overshadow the beauty of the pregame activities.
OK, back to the new. Chad and I has so much fun alone for a few days in Atlanta. There is so much to do, and we made the most of all the restaurants and local flare. Sometimes in life I find myself just observing the people around me and all of a sudden I feel a fire in my chest and the blinders I was wearing come off. Really, the account that I am getting ready to describe started out like it had the previous times.
I was sitting in the stands of the Georgia Dome enjoying the worst "game food" that I have ever eaten. We were in a little mix of Clemson and Alabama fans. Over to our right was the Clemson band pumping out team pride better than I have EVER heard before (Great Job Clemson Band!), and I looked down at the field and something new happened. I imagined myself as the parent of a freshman football player that had been dreaming of this day AND it was finally here. Team pride is a term that we all throw around, but I find that the pride is in an image. It is very generic, and selfish. The pride that I am talking about is in a person. A child. Your child.
It is how we felt watching Michael Phelps' mom at the Olympics. I couldn't help it. I wanted to find one of the proudest dads in the whole stadium. Ever heard of Mark Richt? He is the Georgia football coach, but his son had the intelligence to go to Clemson. :) Mark, a former QB himself, was there to watch his son, Jon, a walk-on QB at Clemson, sit the bench. The love of a parent really has nothing to do with performance. It has everthing to do with perseverance. To see our kids have a goal and achieve it- that is pride. It doesn't matter if the goal is walking, using spoon, or becoming a college football player.
Just one of the little joys of parenthood. I am just so proud to share it with so many parents all over the world. Oh, that the Lord of the universe would make me into the kind of parent that reveals His love and His pride in those he created to the whole created world.
1 comment:
David saw the game and felt really bad for you all..
We talked to Grams this weekend and heard you all got to go. I was glad to hear that you were feeling better and were able to go.
Courtney is in India. She left yesterday. Alot of tears were shed as I released my baby to follow God overseas for 3 weeks. It's not the duration of the trip that hit me, it's the release... One day on the horizon you will know what I am feeling... Hug that sweet baby girl tight to night. The years fly by in warp speed.
Love to you,
Julie
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