Football Tears

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I arrived at the office earlier than usual. Last Friday, I had family plans that demanded a clear head. My middle son had a soccer tournament two hours away from our home.

I had to meet my writing goals before 4 PM to enjoy the family time and watch the games without thinking about pens, pages, or how to explain the importance of African-centered education.

Immediately after reaching the office, I deactivated the security alarm, poured coffee, and sat to revise an article.  Two hours later, I paused, moved to another task, and then returned to revisions. I smiled as I clicked submit on the journal’s page.  

Was I finished? No.

My inbox had email messages, and I needed to write a productivity report. I also wanted to start the next article. After eight focused hours, I completed the essential tasks.

The unpredictable Friday afternoon commute remained the only obstacle between my work and family. When I entered the ramp nearest my job, the highway was clear. I made it home sooner than expected.

The children opened the garage door before I parked the car.

With a wide grin, my middle son said, “I told you, Dad, that I would one day take you somewhere for football.” From our years abroad, he still calls soccer football.

“Oh, you’re driving?” I asked.

“No, you know what I mean.”

“I understand.”

Road Trip

I popped the trunk and loaded enough luggage for a journey to the moon. The children packed too much. My teenage daughter had three bags, one dedicated to makeup and school supplies.

We set the house alarm, put the address in Google Maps, and reversed out of the driveway. 

For two hours, we drove on the smooth roads toward our destination. My earlier luck with traffic continued, and we hit only a few small pockets of congestion. The children slept on and off during the ride.

Rain fell on the car’s windshield as we reached our exit. We drove through the industrial park until we found our hotel.

We parked the car and unloaded as much luggage as possible.

Wins and Losses

My son had three games. They won two and tied another.

The most exciting match started in a slump. The team was down by two points to a younger and less experienced team. Then the rain came.

As the gray clouds moved in, their prospects of winning also dwindled. But something happened after halftime.

The team returned to the field, determined to win. In the final seconds, one of the players scored an incredible goal. Tears filled the boys’ eyes as they celebrated their unbelievable comeback.

I smiled, clapped, and laughed while rain and tears wet my face. My daughter turned to me and said, “Dad, you need to express your emotions more often. It looks like you’re crying and laughing.” I neither denied nor acknowledged her comment. 

We returned to the car full of emotion, wet from the rain, and exhausted. I pressed the ignition key, and the car wouldn’t start. Rage and frustration filled my blood and clouded my head.

After multiple attempts, I realized the battery died. I forgot about the win and focused on the loss of power.

I messaged the parent group, and another father came to the rescue. He jump-started the battery. After a 45-minute delay, we returned to the hotel.

Life is always teaching us.

For every triumph, anticipate the tragedy. This is not a call to pessimism. It’s reality.

We only get a handful of memorable moments with our children. Get the work done, and make time for family.

When you can’t finish everything at the office, schedule an early morning or late evening to prevent interfering with family plans. You never know what can happen with a clear head and to-do list.

It’s hard to cut things off. Throughout the weekend, I wrote before each game. Honesty hurts, but it’s necessary to experience growth.

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