Yes us moms can be a little biased when it comes to our babies, so bare with me as I gloat on my son.
As a young boy Jackson always wanted to play football. He and Jose always tried to convince me to let him play little league football. Well, Mama wasn't having it. All I could think of was injuries and serious injuries. Me being me, I always let my anxieties get the best of me and think about the worst possible scenario in any situation. So yeap, I was that mama, I held my boy back from doing something he might have had a heart for.
Then Jackson enters into his high school years and begins to admire these big, bold, brave, confident football players. His freshman year I think he just sat back and observed. But deep down this boy had a plan! At the end of his freshman year he came to us and told us that he wanted to play for the high school football team his sophmore year. Well me being me....said 'No way'! I was scared to death, I mean seriously, have you ever been to a high school football game and compared the size of a freshman boy to a senior boy!! Seniors have full beards and are 3 heads taller than most freshman boys. Well, needless to say I finally lost the football battle!
So, Jackson went to the football meetings and was to start his football summer training that was ALL summer long, in the Savannah deadly heat. Deep down I didn't think he would last. I just knew he would give up halfway through the summer after dealing with heat, running, weights, running, bugs, heat and more running....boy was I wrong. This boy loved it. I was dumbfounded!
His sophmore year he played on the jv team as a defensive back. He was not nearly as tough as Jose was hoping he would be, but I just had to keep reminding Jose that this was his 1st year ever playing the sport. I think Jose was wanting him to be the 'Big Star' football player and I just didn't want him to get hurt! Well, he survived his sophmore year, so I was happy! Thinking to myself, well I'm glad that's over and hoping deep down inside that he got it all out of his system. Again, I was wrong.
He played again his junior year. This year he was a little but tougher. He even played on varsity, no he wasn't a starter, but I was fine with that. But by this time I'm loosening up, I'm getting into these games and now I'm getting onto Jackson for not being aggressive enough. Yes me! Sometime during this year he expressed his interest in being a long snapper to the coaches. So they taught him, and practiced with him and into the game he went. He now had him a part-time defensive back spot, a long snapper spot and he played on special teams. Ending his junior year with all smiles, especially after receive a Varsity Letter for football!
Well here we are now, senior year. The big guy on campus. The bearded senior who is 3 heads taller than the younger boys! 1st game of the season and this kid wearing #21, is starting on varsity and he is playing aggressive. We are confused. We are wondering who Jackson gave up his number to. As we kept watching, with our mouths open, we realized that was our boy. He is playing and playing hard. I mean he waits until his senior year to come out strong?! (Actually, I'm ok with that, cause this year my nerves have been on edge)! But boy oh boy, this mama is so proud, he came out this year and gave it all he had. Playing every varsity game as defensive back and an awesome long snapper.
Now let me pause a minute and remind you this is only Jackson's 3rd year ever playing football! Do I have a future NFL player on my hands?! (LOL, totally kidding).
Well now, I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes realizing it's all over. Where has the time gone? Football season has come and gone, quickly, and my baby is grown. WOW! Just like the country song says, don't blink.
Well onto baseball....
My heart is full!
My heart is full!
