Text 2162, 86 rader
Skriven 2005-06-19 19:00:02 av George Pope (1:153/307.11)
Ärende: Dad's Day
=================
My Father's Eyes=20

This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a =
very special relationship.  Even though the son was always on the bench, =
his father was always in the stands cheering.  He never missed a game.
This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high =
school.
But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear =
that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to.  But the =
young man loved football and decided to hang in there.  He was =
determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to =
play when he became a senior.
All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but =
remained a bench warmer all four years.  His faithful father was always =
in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.

When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the =
football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the =
cut, but he did.  The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster =
because he always puts his heart and soul into every practice and, at =
the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle =
they badly needed.  The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him =
so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father.  His =
father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the =
college games.  This persistent young athlete never missed practice =
during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game.

It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the =
practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him =
with a telegram.  The young man read the telegram and became deathly =
silent.  Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this =
morning.  Is it all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his =
arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, =
son.  And don't even plan to come to the game on Saturday."=20

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well.
In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent =
young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his =
football gear.
As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded =
to see their faithful teammate back so soon.  "Coach, please let me =
play.

I've just got to play today," said the young man.  The coach pretended =
not to hear him.  There was no way he wanted his worst player in this =
close playoff game.
But the young man persisted, and finally, feeling sorry for the kid, the =
coach gave in.  "All right," he said.  "You can go in."=20

Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not =
believe their eyes.  This little unknown, who had never played before =
was doing everything right.

The opposing team could not stop him, he ran, he passed, blocked and =
tackled like a star.  His team began to triumph.  The score was soon =
tied.  In the closing seconds of the game, the kid intercepted a pass =
and ran all the way for the winning touchdown.=20

The fans broke loose.  His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders.
Such cheering you've never heard!  Finally, after the stands had emptied =
and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed =
that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone.

The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it.=20
You were fantastic!  Tell me what got into you?  How did you do it?"
He looked a the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said.  "Well, you =
knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man =
swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today =
was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I =
could do it!"=20



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