This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them
had a
very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the
bench,
his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a
game.
This young man was still the smallest of the class when he
entered high
school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made
it very
clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to.
But the
young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was
determined
to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play
when he
became a senior. All through high school he never missed a
practice nor
a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years.His faithful
father
was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for
him.
When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the
football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he
could never make the
cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the
roster because
he always puts his heart and soul into every practice, and at the
same
time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they
badly
needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so
much that
he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father
shared
his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college
games.
This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his
four
years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was
the end
of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the
practice field
shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a
telegram.
The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent.
Swallowing
hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning.
Is it all
right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm
gently around his
shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And
don't even
plan to come back to the game on Saturday. Saturday arrived, and
the game
was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten
points
behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker
room
and put on his football gear. As he ran onto>the sidelines,
the coach
and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate
back so
soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play
today," said
the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no
way
he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the
young
man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach
gave in.
"All right," he said. "You can go in." Before
long, the coach, the
players and everyone in the stands could>not believe their
eyes. This
little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything
right.
The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked
and
tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was
soon tied.
In the closing seconds of the game, this kid>intercepted a
pass and ran
all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke>loose.
His
teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've
never>
heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had
showered
and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man
was
sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him
and said,
"Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what
got into you?
How did you do it?"He looked at the coach, with tears in his
eyes, and
said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my
dad was
blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile,
"Dad came to
all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play,
and I
wanted to show him I could do it!"
SO - REMEMBER RIGHT NOW:somebody is very proud of you. somebody
is
thinking of you. somebody is caring about you. somebody misses
you.
somebody wants to talk to you. somebody wants to be with you.
somebody
hopes you are not in trouble. somebody is thankful for the
support you
have provided. somebody wants to hold your hand. somebody hopes
everything turns out all right. somebody wants you to be happy.
somebody
wants you to find him/her. somebody wants to give you a gift.
somebody
wants to hug you. somebody thinks you ARE a gift. somebody
admires your
strength. somebody wants to protect you. somebody can't wait to
see you.
somebody loves you for who you are. somebody treasures your
spirit.
somebody is glad that you are their friend. somebody wants to get
to know
you better. somebody wants to be near you. somebody wants you to
know
they are there for you. somebody would do anything for you.
somebody want
to share their dreams with you. somebody is alive because of you.
somebody needs your support. somebody will cry when they read
this.
somebody needs you to have faith in them. somebody trusts you.
somebody
hears a song that reminds them of you.