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 to every practice, and at the same time, provided he 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 or 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 wants 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.

Father
Thank You for the freedom of choice.
The freedom to choose where to live,
when to work,
what to do.
What a gift to choose to do,
or not to do,
to be or not to be.
I pray that my choosing today
will be with your wisdom.
So guide and direct that
I may not neglect
or abuse this FREEDOM.
AMEN

Tequila and Salt
This should probably be taped to your bathroom mirror where one could read it every day.
You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.
1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.
5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
6. You mean the world to someone.
7. You are special and unique.
8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.
11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
And always remember....when life hands you Lemons, ask for tequila and salt and call me over!!!

"My Mom"	"Daddy's Day"	"Barbados"
"Tuffy"	"Erotic Edibles"	"SunRoom Designs"
"Precision Deer Construction"	"Dad"	"Attitude"

"New Beginnings"	"Erin's Graduation"	"My Mother Poem"
"Is this Your Mom? Poem"	"Beauty of a Woman Poem"	"Momsday"
"Joni"	"Ashley"	"Heather"
"EAH"	"Kelly"	"United We Stand"
"The Garden Path"	"Message from Heaven"	"911"