How a High School Football Game Almost Brought Me to Tears
A bittersweet view from the bleachers.
High school football holds a special place in the hearts of many parents and communities. The Friday night lights. The camaraderie of the crowd. The thrill of what’s undoubtedly more than just a game.
I live close enough to our high school stadium to keep tabs on what’s happening during home games. I can sit on my patio and listen to the marching band playing the fight song, and I eagerly await the sound of the bullhorn that signals a home team touchdown. Although it’s been four years since my youngest graduated from high school, I still get a kick out of the joy that resonates from the stands, filling the air of our close-knit town.
For years, I never missed a game. Never mind that none of my children played high school football. It’s just what we did on Friday nights when they were in school.
Donned in maroon and gold (the school colors), we trailed through the parking lot with other dedicated fans to share in the festivities, to be part of what our kids were experiencing from the stands. School spirit. Community connection. A chance to support our team in victory or defeat.
It’s strange how something that played such a significant part in my life became nothing but a memory…
