Light in His Eyes

While my son was in middle school he decided he wanted to play football. I let him. I didn't want to. During the football season his shoulder was injured and we believed with physical therapy everything was going to be fine.

During his freshman year he made the varsity basketball squad as a starter. He was a happy person until his shoulder began to bother him again. He tried to make it through the season. While playing in one game he noticed that his entire arm felt numb. His trainer sent him to a sports doctor who informed us that surgery was needed. The surgery was scheduled for February at which time we were given the news that he would not be able to play basketball until the end of July or August. The look that went across my son's face spoke volumes.

He has played basketball since kindergarten and now during his freshman year he could not even finish out the season and spring and summer basketball were out of the question. Having any surgery is no easy task for anyone and he went through some tough times physically and emotionally. It was as if a darkness had come over him and he couldn't shake it.

Near the end of summer last year he was cleared to play sports. He tried out again for his high school basketball team and made varsity. His team is having a good season. Last night they went into a game 6-0 against a highly city ranked team. My nerves were bad and I was concerned for him. Was he nervous? Is he worried about getting injured? So many questions.

I am no sports analyst so I can't give you a play by play of the game. I did notice that after he turned the ball over in the first quarter he was very frustrated as if he could not get his head together and handle the ball. In my mind I am saying "Oh, Lord!"

At the beginning of the fourth quarter his team is down by 9 points. With three minutes left I begin to bundle up my toddler. I notice my son's team trying to get within 2 or 3 points of the other team. With a few seconds left they go for a shot and miss it, here comes my son with the rebound and a lay up to tie the game and send it into overtime. Wow! I see him coming back into his old self, confident and sure of his playing abilities. Now, that is the basketball player I am used to seeing.

As we were leaving the gym I heard someone close to my son say "I sure am glad to see the light back in his eyes." Well, I am too.

Lindar