This is Matthew's senior year in high school. His last year playing football. Wow. The. Last. Year.
So far the season has not been what we anticipated it would be. After practicing all summer, on the night before school started, Matthew dislocated his left shoulder. The same shoulder he dislocated last year. Not good. Unlike last year, when it popped back in 'on its own,' this year they couldn't get it popped back in on the field and he ended up having to go to the ER to get it popped back. It was at least as painful as it sounds. In seven days, I took him to four different appointments - including an MRI and consultations with an Orthopedic surgeon. No doubt about it. His shoulder injury is serious. Two dislocations before age 18 is not good on any level. And the only way to fix it - is surgery. The only way to keep it from popping out again - give up football.
He missed the first day of school. Missed the first day of his senior year! But the bigger question on our minds is what about the football season? That is not as superficial as it sounds. His health and well-being (and education) are our primary concern BUT, this is his last year. He has been playing football since he was 7 years old. He paid his dues as a Freshman (and enjoyed being on the championship team that year). He has endured the grueling schedule of playing both JV and Varsity last year. He has practiced all summer. He has been training and playing for this moment in time for ten years. He has no aspirations for playing at the college level, but he did want his Senior Year. To be at the top. To be one of the best of the best. He has earned it...so all of us, as concerned as we are for his shoulder injury, are grieving the possibility that he won't have a senior season at all.
The decision is his to make.
He's nervous about playing, too. After all, he's the one who feels the pain when his shoulder pops out. But he doesn't want to miss his last year either. He doesn't want to live with the regret (in whatever decision he makes). He's a good player. He's a smart player. And he loves the game. So, in the midst all of the anxiety in trying to decide what to do, we have to get a doctor's clearance to return to practice and playing even before he has the option in deciding whether or not to play. Seriously, a doctor's clearance stating it's OK for him to return to football when he's already advised against it?...the odds aren't good. Nonetheless, I call the doctor. First, I call his primary doctor, but they refer me to the Orthopedic doctor, who is really the one treating him for this. I explain what I need. They take the information, my FAX number, and my cell number in case there are any questions.
And we wait.
No news on Monday. Senior Night is this week.
If he gets cleared by Tuesday, he can dress out in his uniform for Senior Night. I call back again and explain the Senior Night ... she understood, and told me if I hadn't received the clearance letter by 3:00 p.m., to call again. It came in at 1:00 p.m.
He can return to football. He can suit up Friday night.
That's a long way around to get to Senior Night...
Senior Night is just what it sounds like. It's the night the Seniors, and their families, are recognized. It's a big deal. (And, secretly, I wanted to be the mom for Senior Night). In 2010, Senior Night for Aaron, his grandparents were here. We all lined up in the end zone, Bufford and Mary, Ron and me, and Penelope (Aaron's girlfriend). We waited for Tina (his Mom) to show up. We didn't see her anywhere, but she is usually late ... The time came for the players and families to walk onto the field. Aaron gave me the flowers and gift bag and then offered his arm to his grandma to escort her as we walked. Awesome moment. So, I knew what it felt like to be on the field with your player...your son. Matthew and I have come a long way in our relationship since I married his dad. In fact I never expected to have the kind of relationship with him that I share with him now. We have been through all of the practices and games and injuries and doctor appointments ... and I want to share this night, too. Earlier in the week he had asked if he should invite his mom to Senior Night. I told him that was up to him. (and it was). He asked if she was there for Aaron's. I said, No. He asked, was she mad? I said, I don't know...and I don't know if he asked his Mom or not.
We line up in the end zone. Ron and me, Sarah, and Hannah (his girlfriend), but not Tina. I asked Hannah if she knew whether his mom was coming or not. She said she didn't think so. And then the moment arrived. The time for players and families to walk onto the field. Matthew handed me the flowers, the gift bag, extended his arm and said, "Let's go, Deedge."
So far the season has not been what we anticipated it would be. After practicing all summer, on the night before school started, Matthew dislocated his left shoulder. The same shoulder he dislocated last year. Not good. Unlike last year, when it popped back in 'on its own,' this year they couldn't get it popped back in on the field and he ended up having to go to the ER to get it popped back. It was at least as painful as it sounds. In seven days, I took him to four different appointments - including an MRI and consultations with an Orthopedic surgeon. No doubt about it. His shoulder injury is serious. Two dislocations before age 18 is not good on any level. And the only way to fix it - is surgery. The only way to keep it from popping out again - give up football.
He missed the first day of school. Missed the first day of his senior year! But the bigger question on our minds is what about the football season? That is not as superficial as it sounds. His health and well-being (and education) are our primary concern BUT, this is his last year. He has been playing football since he was 7 years old. He paid his dues as a Freshman (and enjoyed being on the championship team that year). He has endured the grueling schedule of playing both JV and Varsity last year. He has practiced all summer. He has been training and playing for this moment in time for ten years. He has no aspirations for playing at the college level, but he did want his Senior Year. To be at the top. To be one of the best of the best. He has earned it...so all of us, as concerned as we are for his shoulder injury, are grieving the possibility that he won't have a senior season at all.
The decision is his to make.
He's nervous about playing, too. After all, he's the one who feels the pain when his shoulder pops out. But he doesn't want to miss his last year either. He doesn't want to live with the regret (in whatever decision he makes). He's a good player. He's a smart player. And he loves the game. So, in the midst all of the anxiety in trying to decide what to do, we have to get a doctor's clearance to return to practice and playing even before he has the option in deciding whether or not to play. Seriously, a doctor's clearance stating it's OK for him to return to football when he's already advised against it?...the odds aren't good. Nonetheless, I call the doctor. First, I call his primary doctor, but they refer me to the Orthopedic doctor, who is really the one treating him for this. I explain what I need. They take the information, my FAX number, and my cell number in case there are any questions.
And we wait.
No news on Monday. Senior Night is this week.
If he gets cleared by Tuesday, he can dress out in his uniform for Senior Night. I call back again and explain the Senior Night ... she understood, and told me if I hadn't received the clearance letter by 3:00 p.m., to call again. It came in at 1:00 p.m.
He can return to football. He can suit up Friday night.
That's a long way around to get to Senior Night...
Senior Night is just what it sounds like. It's the night the Seniors, and their families, are recognized. It's a big deal. (And, secretly, I wanted to be the mom for Senior Night). In 2010, Senior Night for Aaron, his grandparents were here. We all lined up in the end zone, Bufford and Mary, Ron and me, and Penelope (Aaron's girlfriend). We waited for Tina (his Mom) to show up. We didn't see her anywhere, but she is usually late ... The time came for the players and families to walk onto the field. Aaron gave me the flowers and gift bag and then offered his arm to his grandma to escort her as we walked. Awesome moment. So, I knew what it felt like to be on the field with your player...your son. Matthew and I have come a long way in our relationship since I married his dad. In fact I never expected to have the kind of relationship with him that I share with him now. We have been through all of the practices and games and injuries and doctor appointments ... and I want to share this night, too. Earlier in the week he had asked if he should invite his mom to Senior Night. I told him that was up to him. (and it was). He asked if she was there for Aaron's. I said, No. He asked, was she mad? I said, I don't know...and I don't know if he asked his Mom or not.
We line up in the end zone. Ron and me, Sarah, and Hannah (his girlfriend), but not Tina. I asked Hannah if she knew whether his mom was coming or not. She said she didn't think so. And then the moment arrived. The time for players and families to walk onto the field. Matthew handed me the flowers, the gift bag, extended his arm and said, "Let's go, Deedge."
