I had a casual conversation with Grasshopper No.3 recently regarding parents and children. As all of you know, I never attended any of your activities when you were growing up. Yet I have many, many pictures to prove I was there for you. Hmmmm!
I did miss No.3's soccer involvemnt when he was a senior year in high school. I think the year was 1982. This was the first year of competitive soccer at the school and North High was part of the Fox Valley Conference. No.3 had to choose between football and soccer. Soccer won out and the rest is history.
North High played 12 conference games. They went 11-1 and were declared Conference Champions. Grasshopper No.3 went out a winner.
Where was I? This was one of those situations where I missed the drama. I vaguely remember the interest in soccer but I had no idea that soccer would go on to be something big. I don't remember going to any games but if I search our photos long enough, maybe I'll find one where I am present.
No.3 did not score any goals. I was informed that he played defense and he didn't have the opportunity to score. That shows what I know about soccer. I asked if he was any good. His response was "we were champions weren't we"? He has a picture in the school Annual to prove his accomplishments.
So in this instance, I failed as a supporting father. I'm sure that No.3 gained much needed acclaim and sense of accomplishment. This must be the only instance where I didn't render my support to you kids growing up?
By the way, the North High School mascot is the Golden Eagles. Go big birds!
The lesson Grasshoppers is that sometimes parents miss the precious growing experiences of their kids. You can't ever get those moments back. I do know you always had unconditional support.
Love,
Dad