I have mentioned in this blog space previously – I have 2 kids: Nicolas, who is a high school senior, and going through all of his “lasts” this year… and Sophie, an 8th grader, who is just starting her young-adult phase.
Along the way, Cathy and I have had a LOT of proud moments with both the kids… great sports moments, great scholastic achievements, and – in general – the pride in watching them develop into the types of kids we always hoped they’d become.
Back in March, we had the type of sports weekend that parents of athletes dream of.
It all started on a Sunday afternoon. It isn’t every day that an 8th grader gets to play for a High School Varsity State Championship, but there was Sophie this day – suited up for the Hockey State Championship game. And this was no “sit here on the bench and learn by watching” experience. She was playing a top-2 line position, getting MAJOR ice time.
After an exciting championship win, I had to ask her if she realized that – not only did she win a HS State Championship before entering high school – She played a major role in that win! She was truly awesome! Definitely a Proud-Dad Moment for me.
But the fun wasn’t over.
The very next day, as I was at work, Nicolas sent me a text-message… Now – Nick’s a pretty good football player – he had already been selected for the “North / South Game” – a Vermont Football All Star Game that pits the northern half of the State against players from the southern half… And he had already been informed of his selection to the “Maple Shrine Bowl” – an All Star Game that pits the best football players from Vermont, against the best players from New Hampshire (definitely high honors unto themselves). But this text message he sent took the accolades to the next level: it was a screen shot of a message from his football coach, congratulating him – Nick is being inducted into the Vermont Football Hall of Fame.
Not too bad for a kid who always thought of football as his “second sport”.
Our kids have won championships in the past. They’ve had athletic recognition bestowed. But for a one-two punch, involving BOTH kids… on consecutive days… athletically-speaking, that was a pretty spectacular weekend!
