September 30, 2006 @ 7:21 am | Filed under: Family

"I’ve never known a man worth his salt who in the long run, deep down in his heart, didn’t appreciate the grind, the discipline… I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour - this greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle, victorious."

– Vince Lombardi

_______________________________

What’s that saying, the more things change, the more they stay the same?

Well, times have certainly changed in America’s high schools across the country. Technology literally resides in each student’s fingers in the forms of cell phones and iPods. Slang has developed to a whole new, unprecedented level. And traditional blackboards have been replaced with uber-wonderful laptops and Powerpoint presentations.

But one thing remains the same.

Friday night lights.

That’s right, are you ready for some foooooootbaaaaaalll?

Mike and I were at this game on Friday night. Several friends from church were there as well, but they were, uh…sitting in the rival’s section. (Or, maybe WE were the ones sitting in opposition…?) While we are super proud of Polo, who is a star player for the opposing team and an active member of our Youth group, we were sitting across the field from all our friends because…

my baby brother is one of the varsity coaches for the "other" school!

Can I just say that it’s totally amazing to see your younger sibling at "work." I watched through binoculars as he high-fived each player as they ran off the field after warm-up and just before the game’s beginning.

While my mind and heart still hold mental snapshots of him as a skinny kid who had crushes on my friends, bruises and mosquito bites on his legs, and was almost always drinking grape Kool-aid, the little brother on the field Friday night was a man.

A man I’m immensely proud to say is my brother. Strong (maybe even sometimes headstrong), hardworking (he stays in project mode), and irresistably good-looking (just ask any of my friends!), he’s grown up to be a husband and father (and coach) that I’m proud of.

I probably don’t tell him that often enough.

I love you, Kev.

So, while I will root for Polo in future games, I’m sure, Friday night was all about sitting in the visitor’s stands listening to the age-old sounds of a rousing band, energetic cheerleaders, and hundreds of devoted fans sending out their love and support…

to my baby brother’s team.

Go, Rams!