SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T GO BACK


I learned one of those lessons today it is impossible to learn until you get 'old'.  I first stumbled across it a few months ago while working in South Huntsville.  I drove by McGucken Park on Bailey Cove Rd.  This was the Park where my first Huntsville grandchild played his first soccer game 15 or 16 years ago.  The grandson, Jackson, is now 19 years old and on the football team at the University of Alabama as a red shirt freshman.  The park is in the far south part of Huntsville and one of many scattered all across town, where all three of the Huntsville kids have played over the last 16 years.  Football, basketball, soccer, little league, dance recitals and girls softball.  I have sat through countless games as the happiest and most proud granddad in the city.  I have also been in same spot across Decatur with the grand kids on this side of the River.  As I drove past McGucken I got the most sinking feeling I think I have ever felt.  I suddenly realized I would probably never see another game here or at Mayfair or any other of the great youth league facilities in Huntsville.  I have thought a lot about that feeling and day and each time felt quite sad.  Those were all great times, everything was as it should be, the kids competing, the ones not competing sitting all over you or begging for a trip to the concession stand or bathroom, my son, his wife and her family all cheering like it was an Alabama/Auburn game being played right in front of us on Fern Bell field and always the ice cream or chicken tenders to cap it off.

Today I attended the last Christmas program at Eastwood Elementary in Decatur.  My granddaughter will be moving on to Middle School next year and that 6 year run will have come to an end.  I have to admit I teared up a little as they capped it off with the forever 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas'.  Grand kids are by far the best part of growing old.  I really feel bad for those who don't have that opportunity, but thank God I did.  The bitter that comes with realizing some many of those good times are now passing and gone forever is inevitable.

I am so proud of what these kids are and of what they are becoming but damn it's tough to know those great times just can't be anymore.  I am so glad I have those memories of 4 and 5 year old precious babies dressed as Santa's, Angels, Shepard's and Wise Men in school and church festivities.  Of watching them line up for team pictures and accepting game balls and team trophy's.  It has been such a special time.

I am making myself a promise.  If the young folks in my life will let me know when the Christmas Program at Eastwood takes place in the future, I'm going to go.  When I'm not watching Wallace or EG play in Decatur, I am going to catch a couple of games at Mayfair in Huntsville and at least once a year I'm going back to McGurken and Fern Bell just to remember the greatest times of my life. 

I have got to be the most blessed man alive.