Shoes Look Like....

I have had the privilege of being Team Mom for the Deltona Panthers' Junior Midget Football (Ages 11-13). This is the team that my son plays on. After some drama, I sent this email to my parents:

"Before you get to the end of this email and wonder if I had you in mind when I sent this out, let me say - I had no single person in mind. Honestly!!!

But I wanted to share something that crosses my mind quite a bit as a mom, a team mom, a boss and a person: I am learning that I have to bite my tongue and not respond to an action, because when I find out the whole story, I am ashamed of my initial thought. Their action is a result of something very hard happening in that person's life and all they need is for someone to be kind - just to be there for them.

I haven't figured out why we can't express it when Life is "sucking" at the moment for us. Maybe it's because before we can even get the words out, someone else has already responded in a negative way and we shut down. I'm sure you remember 9-11. I know I do very, very well. I remember the horror of what was happening, but I also remember that strangers were just nice. Everyone was just nice. I think as a Nation we were going through a tragedy together and knew that the way to get through it was to be nice to one another - even strangers! Do you remember those days when we were nice to one another????

So as our season ends, I want to challenge you to think about being "nice" - whether it's cheering for our team, being on the field, at your job or in your home. When you realize what some of shoes look like that are being walked in, you'd be amazed - even on our team. As I try to teach my kids, Life is not fair. Sometimes you will make a mistake. Sometimes you'll just be plain ugly. You will need someone to be nice to you. So YOU be nice first!!!

I know this sounds like a lecture - I promise you it isn't - just Mama Jenn sharing something that has crossed my mind a few times.

I have to say that it has been a great experience for me to be team mom - have learned a lot more about Pop Warner. But getting to know the boys, our coaches, our association and you parents has been great for me!!! You guys have made it easy!!!! Thank you!!!!"

What my parents don't know, but I have had the privilege of knowing, is that we have: One son who doesn't smile has a mother that is fighting a terminal disease. He is watching this disease take his mother's life. One son has a father that is a "drunk" and he doesn't know when his dad will embarrass him. One son is angry and can't figure out what makes him feel this way. One son has an older brother in a wheelchair and can't feed himself who needs a medical treatment to get a little better, but with the economy, his family can't pay for the treatments. One son has his father serving our Country in Afghanistan just praying that his dad makes it back home and can see him play next year. One son had his father die in front of him when he was six.

And I'm sure that for every "life story" that I know, there are two that I don't know about.

I know I wouldn't want to wear these shoes that some of these young men are wearing. So I pray that I can be kinder - To be a person that others find "safety" to share what their shoes look like!!!!