All For Football

Posted on November 13, 2008
Filed Under Life, Gratitude, Family, Community |

As our family fast approaches what could possibly be the end of our intimate relationship with football as my older son finishes college and the younger high school, I’ve found myself overwhelmed with emotion and confronted with just how much love for and indebtedness to football I have.

My personal relationship with football has spanned the last 22 years, beginning in high school when my husband received an athletic scholarship to the University of Colorado, Boulder. That single event has directly shaped our lives, our marriage, our family, and our careers. Leaving our families and the familiarity of California, we ventured out toward the unknown of Boulder. Having done so, we discovered ourselves and God in ways we may not have if we’d stayed within the plush comfort zone of the families and the state we loved.

It will take entry upon entry to unpack the profundity of this unlikely relationship between me and football (and I just might attempt to do that . . .), but suffice it to say that in this moment, I’m just terribly grateful.

This Friday night, my youngest son Cole will have yet another football playoff game in the Wolves’ quest for back-to-back state championships. While I have ever measure of faith that they’ll win, well it could be his last . . .I dare not say it! And, on Saturday, my oldest son Ryan will experience his last home game as a Buff. His last home game . . . Because of that, parents will walk on Folsom Field that day with the sons they have loved, cheered, encouraged and celebrated with for the last time in that hallowed stadium. I am so very, very proud. I am so very, very sad.

Football has given us education, injuries, elation, surgeries, memories, debt, joy, photographs, sweatshirts, caps, and Friday nights and Saturday mornings absolutely full of emotion. It has taught my sons community and leadership, discipline and drive, success and failures. Football . . . thank you for loving my husband and sons . . . thank you for allowing me to experience your joy from the stands . . . you’ve been a true friend.

Good luck tomorrow night, Cole! Go get ‘em Wolves!

And, fight CU down the field! Go Ry!

I love you boys! You have represented yourselves, your family, your teams well. With conviction you have done your best. You are the blessings of my life. I thank our God for you.

Psalm 127:3
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Amen.

Peace and Blessings,

Nicole Walters