In Theatres Everywhere...Tomorrow, I swear!

Phew!  I'm exhausted.  Aside from being fairly busy at work, I haven't found much reprieve even when I'm able to steal away home.  I'm beginning to see a pattern forming that commences approximately a week and a half prior to Gage's exams starting... The onslaught of late assignments that need to be completed and submitted before the exam in order for Gage to pass his course.  Sigh...I want to get so mad, but I'm pretty confident I did the exact same thing during my go around. 

So this past week (on top of work and still being sick) I've we've managed to complete the writing of a myth, the filming of a trailer for said myth, reading a book "The First Stone", completing comprehensive readers notes for said book on Characters, Plot, Setting, Archetypes, and Themes, writing a Critical Essay on the story, doing an essay on why Julius Caesar was a great leader, and studying for the actual exam!  I wrote that I've completed these things and then scratched it out because it merely feels like I completed all these things alone, but that's not true.  Gage and I spent a lot of quality time together this week and Gage and Eric actually worked on the video/movie trailer.  I can assure you all that if Eric didn't exist in our lives, Gage would be getting a zero on that component. 

We figured to do a tongue in cheek myth about why Gage struggles to hand his assignments in on time or at all.  Since he's probably such a frustration to his teacher he might as well make her laugh.  We pooled all of our ideas and came up with a mythological beast that closely resembles an Xbox but eats homework, takes over Gage's motivation and has an uncanny knack for stealing his writing instruments and replacing them with an Xbox controller.  The Procrastasaurus or something like that.   The clip below is the trailer about his myth that he handed in.  No clue what kind of grade he got on it but it sure made me laugh.  Especially the part at the end about it's arrival in theatres...Tomorrow, I swear.  Infamous last words his poor saint of a teacher has heard more often than not this past semester. 



There was a moment of hope this week though when Gage proposed the idea of doing his homework when it's assigned to him.  I've reassured him numerous times that we'd always be willing to help him but it would take way less time than 6 hours a night if we did it right away, or at least started it early.  He came up with the idea all on his own!  And he has figured out that Grades 11 and 12 are going to have strong impacts on his ability to get into a college.  It's so frustrating because based on the assignments and tests he did hand in and do his grade without trying would have been mid to high 70's.  With all his missing assignments he was sitting at a 39.  Completely uncalled for.  Sigh...here's hoping he's starting to mature and figure some of this stuff out.  Let's see if he follows through with this idea next semester.  I think I might have made it a little easier for him to stick to his plans by pulling in the reigns on his freedom and how much of it he has this coming term. 

I like spending time with my kid and all, but come on! 

Running for My Life

This past weekend we (Eric, Gage, myself, my brother, sister in law, and 4 friends) had the opportunity to take part in a 5K run/obstacle course created by Run For Your Lives that included being chased by zombies.  'Cause running 5K and completing physical obstacles isn't hard enough (especially when you are in as poor shape as I am!).  After doing some research in preparation to signing up, we discovered that you could do both!  You could complete a zombie shift AND run the course as a runner!  Win-win!

The creators and volunteers put together an amazing event.  I don't know how long they've been doing these but this was the first one in Canada.  I must say it was flawless (aside from the weather which is, of course, uncontrollable).  Everything went off perfectly (except for the total collapse of the starting cages, immediately after our particular heat, from the wind - thankfully no one was seriously injured).   It was probably the best experience I've had during an event of this caliber.  Right from the parking and check in stations, to the costume department and make up tents and the actual course and obstacles - amazing.  It really was so well done.  Kudos to all involved who put this together and helped pull it off.  I really am looking forward to doing this again if they decide to bring it back our way next year. 

I was blown away with the make-up department set up.  All of the people they utilized to transform us 7 a.m. beauties into scary zombies were so talented and friendly.  The pace was quick and kept us all excited for the next things to come our way.  They had a wardrobe department, air brushing stations, prosthetic stations, blood splatter stations, liquid blood stations, mudding and blooding stations, free snacks and bottled water stations, and personal belonging check stations.  They really did think of everything (they even had a make-up removal station when we finished our shift).   We looked so good after passing through all those check points. 

Walking out to our station (we were zone 3 - a stretch of forest) amongst the trees, which made for great cover and gave that shadowy, ominous feeling just built the excitement up for us.  I located a sign nailed to a tree and jokingly said I'd hide behind the sign and jump out and scare people.  Because there really was no way they couldn't see me.   Eric stood just ahead of me on the opposite side of the path thus forcing people to run closer to the sign and low and behold the runners were so focused on Eric that when I stepped out from behind my sign I really was scaring the shit out of them.  So gooooooood!  I suffered a couple minor injuries (two of which are actually making it difficult to type):  a wrenched ring finger that is bruised and swollen when it got caught on a runner as I reached for a flag, a thumb nail that has a pool of blood under it after some asshole runner grabbed on to me and kept running (a no-no) and I got punched in the face (totally by accident, the runner even stopped to apologize).  All still worth it though. 

Following our three hour stint as zombies (which went by so quickly, I'd have been content to do it for the whole day, it was that fun!) we counted all of the lives we stole and then headed over to make up removal and received medals, free t-shirts and beer tickets!  The medals are great quality and so are the shirts, they didn't scrimp on anything here.   We then made our way to the van to change clothes and get some food before we were due to report for our own course run.  The weather was turning a little at this point and becoming cooler and much more windy.   I was dreading the race (because I hate running) but now I was looking forward to it because I knew it would warm me up. 

We made our way over to the starting cages (titled Appetizer, Entree and Dessert - the Appetizers got released first) to line up for our heat at 2 p.m.  We decided it was best for us out of shape runners to take the Dessert position so we weren't glomming up the track. The dark clouds were starting to move in on us which made it even more appropriate.  Coming around the first bend we encountered our first obstacle (mud pits 1 - Holly - 0).  Covered in mud makes you feel even heavier than you are!  Aside from zombies staggering all over the course the next obstacle we hit were  the climbing walls.  And while they don't seem that high, after running and being caked in mud it was hard to find the energy to pull myself over them.  The 3rd obstacle was a maze of darkness that took me longer to figure out than I was anticipating.  After making our way out of the maze and through another couple of hordes of zombies we entered a darkened house (through a window) full of smoke with hanging electrodes that zapped you if you hit them.  It was hard to avoid them as they were everywhere and there were zombies in the house that scared the shit out of us thus making it even harder to avoid.  We then had to climb under barbed wire (yes real barbed wire) on our bellies through the mud,  through long covered tunnels on our knees through the mud (good luck if you are claustrophobic), up a fenced wall and down a slide into a pit of cold mud and bloody water and then under an electrified fence through the mud on our bellies.  It was a messy day but so, SO much fun.

I hope the planners had a successful day and it will be worth their effort to come back again next year.  It will be super great if they add some new obstacles and remove a couple of this years.  It was fun not really knowing what we had ahead of us when we ran the race.  I remember the feeling that came over me when I turned the corner to find the three mud pits....and then the feeling of the smile creeping over my face as I embarked on my mission.  

This Moment -part deux {2}

So sorry everyone, I was supposed to post the follow up to Monday's post on Friday but the day got away from me and we were heading out of town so I didn't get on here. 

Here's a quick synopsis of what memories accompany that picture.

Gage had previously been dumped and had gotten back together with the girl.  He had come to recently find out that she had only gotten back together with him because she was afraid that one of his friends, whom she was not interested in, was going to ask her out (a little presumptuous as it wasn't true).  So basically she was using him and he found out.  I asked him if he was sad or mad.  He replied, a little of both.  This sent my Mama-bear instincts into turmoil.  So we hatched a plan to dump her first.  A plan I was 100% confident would send her into fits of tears.  Wrong yes, but I'm not her mom, I'm his and he said he was sad. 

I remember what it was like to be a 12 year old girl so I knew how to accomplish this task.  We took a white shirt and wrote "AVAILABLE" on it in Sharpie.  He went to school and walked up to her at recess when all her friends were around and said, "Hey ****!  You and me?  We're through!"  The idea was to wear the t-shirt in front of her at this point and say the above and walk away.  He had better plans.  He borrowed a friend's zip up hoodie and wore it over his t-shirt for the first part of his day.  Then at the selected time he did what we talked about followed by unzipping the hoodie and walking up the hallway declaring to all the girls, "That's right ladies, Gage is available, Gage is available."

He was proud as punch when he got home and reported to Eric and Eric's buddy Tony what had transpired.  That's when Eric took this picture.  It takes a lot to get Gage to smile in a photo.  He felt much better about himself, and for that reason I'm not guilted by causing a girl in grade 7 to cry.  Besides, 12 year old girls cry all the time.  Pfft. 

This Moment {2}

**I've borrowed an idea from Janine over at Reflections From a Redhead who borrowed it from Thom at To Gyre and Gambol, who initially borrowed it from Cath at Just My Thoughts.  Last Monday I started a Monday ritual. One image will be posted. No words will describe it. It will capture a moment from my past, memories that I cherish. Then on Friday I will post part 2 of this new ritual where I will share the story behind the photo. This borrowed idea is called {This Moment}.

{This Moment - Part deux}

This a pretty old picture of Gage and Roan.  If I hazzard a guess I'd say it's at least 4 years old.  Gage is probably around 11 and Roan is around 7.  The boys and I had gone to the movie theatre to see a flick, the title is lost on me at the moment.  We were early so we went to hang out in the lounge area which was unpopulated for the most part.  I read the weekly and free version of Tribute magazine (one of my most favourite parts about going to the movie theatre) and the boys killed time. 

Once I was finished with my gossip rag I pulled out the old trusty camera from my purse and forced the boys to pose for silly pictures with me.  We have a bunch of them from this photoshoot, but this one is one of my favourites because I forced them into one of those awkward photo poses that would be worthy of that infamous website.  I made Gage lie down on the bench on his belly and told Roan to climb on top and lay down.  Then I said SMILE!  This is what I got.  I was actually kind of surprised Gage didn't balk at this suggestion, but this was clearly before he got his braces that made his teeth straighter thus making him "way more cool" and thus too hip to act silly with his little brother and his mom.

I don't remember the movie at all, but I do remember the 40 minutes we killed, just the three of us, laughing and snapping silly pictures of each other. 

{This Moment}

I've borrowed (oh who am I kidding, I've stolen) an idea from Janine over at Reflections From a Redhead who borrowed it from Thom at To Gyre and Gambol, who initially borrowed it from Cath at Just My Thoughts...phew that could get long winded if someone borrows it from me and then someone borrows it from then, and so on!  Starting today I'm going to begin a Monday ritual.  One image will be posted.  No words will describe it.  It will capture a moment from my past, memories that I cherish.  Then on Friday I will post part 2 of this new ritual where I will share the story behind the photo.  This borrowed idea is called {This Moment}

 

It's the Little Things

As a parent it really is a nice feeling to hear stories about stuff your kids did and understand that you've done all right raising them.  To learn that they actually are picking up stuff you think you're teaching them is rewarding.  I stress the importance of finding the 'little things in life', and by appreciating them, they will make you smile.  Here are a few examples of the little things in my life.

Gage loathes onions and green peppers (well peppers of any kind except hot peppers).  Like seriously, he's a pain in the ass at dinner picking through his food looking for these hidden critters.  The other day he was telling me his boss made him an omelet at work because they were too busy to get their breaks.  I asked what kind and he said a Western.  I looked at him sideways and questioned how he handled that.  He said, "I ate it anyway.  He was nice enough to make it for me, so I choked it down.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be."   Eureka!  Proof number 1!  I have always hoped that they would behave properly when out in public without me but since I'm not there (hence the without me part) I figured I'd never truly know. 

And here's another example from Gage.  He borrowed my computer last week and inadvertently left his Facebook page open.  Now I'm a mother of a 15 year old boy who I know dabbles in the marijuana intake once in a while so of course I perused his messages.  He's smart enough to have deleted his history, but luck was on my side as one of his friends had messaged him recently and therefore all the past messages from that particular kid also showed up.  At one point in the stream Gage was explaining to said friend how I busted him for something and he was in trouble.  His friend's reply went something like this, "Why is she such a bitch lately?" (About me!  I mean really!) Now Gage could have agreed in his answer but he didn't.  His reply was, "She's not being a bitch at all.   It was my fault for not following her rule."  D'aw, my kid has my back!  That's the best feeling ever, even if he had to break the rule (and the fact that I went snooping through his stuff) to find out. 

And finally, on the weekend Roan was helping me make Guacamole for the first time and while we were chit chatting he mentioned that he liked avocados.  I found this strange because aside from this moment and one other time I haven't fed him avocados or really even had them in the house.  So of course I inquired where he'd tried it.  One of his best friends (J.H) is a vegetarian, his whole family is and he mentioned that J.H's mom cut up some avocado and gave it to them to eat with spoons right from the skin as a snack.  I never thought in a million years my kid would eat that.  While I love it myself, he's a stickler on things that are different.  Out of my two children I'd have thought Roan would be the one to unknowingly be tactless and tell her he wasn't eating it.  He proved me wrong.  And for once, I like being wrong. 

I know there are tons of bloggers out there that post weekly or monthly about the things they are grateful for.  I've always thought about doing that myself but it's been shelved somewhere in the back of my mind.  Some weeks are harder than others to find anything to be grateful for and some weeks it's just so super easy.  So I guess consider this my post about some things I'm grateful for.  I make no promises that this will become routine.  I do hope my kids continue to give me reasons to be grateful though.  It's not too much to ask is it?

No. 2

Warning:  Somewhat graphic poop post.  Beware.

These are two entirely separate and unprovoked converstions I had with my children.  They occured on different days in entirely different months.  Some how I'm truly blessed.

Gage:  Mom, I took the biggest dump (though I think he used the word shit) at work today.  Like no kidding, the biggest shit I've ever taken in my life.  Like it filled the entire toilet.  I couldn't believe it.  Wasn't sure it would even flush.  It was seriously massive.
Me:  That's lovely Gage.
Gage:  I just thought you'd want to know.
Me:  Yes, thank you.  I totally did.

Roan:  Mom!  I just took the longest poop ever.  And I don't mean the amount of time I was in the bathroom.  It's seriously the biggest poop.  Like as long as ruler. 
Me:  Did you flush the toilet?
Roan:  Not yet, it's for real the longest poop I've ever taken, like this long (and proceeds to hold his hands about a foot apart). 
Me:  Jesus Roan, go flush the damn toilet, I don't want to see it.

Sigh, boys are wonderful.  Boys are truly, truly wonderful.  A real gift!

Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple

Skyline view from Empire State Building

So my NY trip has come and gone.  It was a four day weekend I was really looking forward to.  Spending some time creating memories with my mom and sister but most importantly, Gage.   Unfortunately Gage came down with the flu two days before we were to board the plane.  We hoped and prayed that he'd be on the mend by the time we got there, but luck was not on our side.  The poor kid was sick the entire trip only starting to truly feel better on the day we left. 

Gage and Grandma hanging out in Central Park

I've said it before and I'll continue to say it, I'm sure, NYC is quite possibly my most favourite city ever.  I could spend tons of time there and I secretly long to one day have an apartment in Manhatten (though we all know that will never happen).  I was truly bummed that Gage wasn't enjoying it as much as I know he would had he been on his A-game.   I have no doubt that I'll take him back again so that he truly gets the full experience. 

A different view of the skyline from the Empire State Building

We were able to take advantage of that window of time following a vomit session and cram him full of Tylonel and Gravol and see some of the sights before he got drained and tired.  We did some tours of Central Park and the city.  We did some shopping.  We saw some tourist sights.  We fought the crowds.  We ended up with tired tootsies and lots of blisters.  We ate food (though I saved a ton not having to buy Gage full meals, so there's my silver lining!).  I showed Gage how to hustled and barter with the street vendors (Awkward!  As he says.  Fun!   As I say.)  The weather was perfect.  And he came home with some souveniers and new clothes, so he seemed content enough.  But most importantly he got to watch some street performers doing break dancing in Central Park which he seemed to love and he got some bling bling from a street huster in China Town which was at the top of his to do list from the moment we booked the trip.

Me and Gage in Central Park

We had a situation following the airport after returning home that put even more of a damper on the trip but more about that later.  I didn't take many photos because the last thing the kid wanted was a camera shoved into his face and since I'd already been and have pictures of most of the places we went I didn't bother to take many more than what's posted here. 

Trying on a size 20 shoe

So even though he wasn't feeling 100% I think we still had an overall good time and I'm grateful to have the memories with my mom, my sister and my son (even if some of those said memories are of me wanting to choke him).  D'aw, I wuv that kid.

The Freedom Tower (replacing the Twin Towers)

Sky-writing

Mom in Central Park

A sick boy and his Shirley Temple

Poor Working Boy

So this morning, Eric, Jon, Ryan and I went for breakfast over to the Egg and I.  Following breakfast while the guys stood outside to smoke I noticed they had a help wanted sign in the window.  Cooks, waitstaff and dishwashers. 

I wandered back inside and ended up correctly speaking to the manager.  I inquired about their means of application, etc.  Of course, I was thinking about a potential job for Gage.  She told me to bring Gage in tomorrow morning to meet her and she'd have him work tomorrow to see if it's something he could handle as it can be a lot of work with only one person. 

The Egg and I is close enough to our house that it wouldn't be an issue for him to ride his bike.  It also wouldn't be a pain for me to drop him at work either (ie. Clifton Hill).  They close at 3 p.m. so no late nights waiting to go pick him up from work and no afterschool shifts to interfere with the abundance of homework he does each night (I really wish there was a rolling the eyes emoticon).  He would work each Saturday and Sunday.  And he'd be out in time to have a nap and still be able to hang with his friends in the evenings. 

So, mama-bear got him the job, let's hope Gagey-bear can hang on to it!

Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time

For Christmas we gave Jill and Larry an electric Fondue set.  It's hard to buy for them.  If you ask for ideas, they have none (I'm sticking my tongue out at you Jill!) and if they want something they just go buy it themselves.  So, that being said trying to come up with Christmas ideas can be somewhat of a challenge.  I came across the Fondue set and a Fondue cook book and thought they might dig that idea. 

So on Chris' birthday we had a chocolate fondue dessert with different fruits.  It was pretty great I'm not gonna lie.  But it was so much more entertaining to watch Gage be a total glutton. 

After gorging on the fruit and cleaning off that tray Gage thought it would be an interesting combination to mix a dill pickle with the chocolate fondue.  Let's chalk that up for a candidate in the "Seemed like a good idea at the time" section of life. 

The pickle being coated in chocolate even looked disgusting.  I'm not sure why or how he thought this might be a great combination.

A little hesitation on his part, right before he ran into the backyard to spit the contents of his mouth over the fence.

And a little rinsing of the mouth...

Three Little Words

Unsolicitated "I love you's" from a 15 year old son who's normally too cool for school are a lovely silver lining.  Especially when he's not looking for something or aware of how shitty my night has been.  Just a genuine, I love you. 

Thanks buddy.  I love you too.

Planks. My Worst Nightmare.

Yesterday's Body Sculpt class at the YMCA was brutal with a capital B (it would probably have had more affect had I actually typed a capital B).  Out of all the times I've taken a class at the Y, this one has to stand out as the hardest to date.  I was feeling quite good about myself when I finished it but today I'm in exorborant amounts of pain.  I think if I paid myself a buck for every time I moved today and subconsciously said "ouch" I could take my entire family for dinner.  At a really decent restaurant.

When I finished putting my equipment away after the class I noticed Gage was waiting for me outside the gym.  As we were walking out of the building I was complaining how tough that workout was.  At which point he mockingly replied, 'What's the matter, you can't handle your 2 1/2 lbs weights and your yoga mat?", in a baby voice.  (I'll have you note, I used 8 lbs weights and 5 lbs weights, NOT 2 1/2 lbs weights.)  Today when I got home from work and mentioned to him how much my body was hurting he again made fun of my female class.  I told him I was going to make him take just one class with me so he could understand how tough they actually are and his reply?  Wait for it...


"I need to gain muscle, not a vagina." 

No laughing, no smile, just pure fact. I've raised myself a full-fledged dick.  And, if I could actually raise my leg without it hurting so much, I'd kick him right in the ass.

A Slice of Apple Pie.

Flights are booked.  Fourth visit and looking so forward to it.  I'm not sure there is a city I love to visit more than New York City.  This time around Dawn and I are taking our mom and Gage with us.  I'm pretty stoked to experience NYC with one of my kids.  I know when Roan's older and actually cares I'll have no problem bringing him back.  And it turns out Jodi and Margie will be there the exact same weekend as us too!  Small world.  For reals.  Super stoked!

Whoa Mona Lisa, I'd Pay To See Your Frown.

The other day Gage had an art project where he had to do a replica drawing of a famous painting.  When I asked him what painting he had chosen to copy he told me, with an air of confidence, that he planned to re-produce the Mona Lisa. 

Being the truly supportive mother that I am, I questioned his decision and suggested maybe he copy a Jackson Pollack.  Ye of little faith I turned out to be.  I could actually tell it was the Mona Lisa.  Which impressed me more than a little I might add.

He's gonna grow up to make millions I tell you, MILLIONS!  I can smell the moolah already. 

Love in Mysterious Ways

Before leaving for Houston, Gage (14 years old) tells me not to get myself massacred.  I am pretty sure that was his way of telling me he loved me without any prompting from me. 

D'aw, my teenager loves me. 

In the Need of Some Good Old Fashioned Advice

So I was well aware this day would come.  And I know I am truly blessed that my child still talks to me about this sort of thing or rather just talks to me about it, no 'still' necessary.  Tonight, I was made privy (by Gage) to the fact that Gage has drank twice (with the end result, intoxication) and tried weed once (not sure he actually inhaled).  All three events occured with the same kid(s). 

I'm trying to remember that some experimentation is normal, but I'm stumped on how to make sure he knows where to draw the line.  I'm trying not to let irrational fears create unnecessary anxiety for me. Of course I experimented when I was a teenager too, but now this is my kid I'm talking about.  And well the rules of the game this time around are completely different.  Unlike me,  who was impervious to anything bad and totally smart when it came to this stuff, I'm not feeling that same confidence when it comes to him. 

I'm grateful that for the most part he doesn't soley hang out with this particular kid.  He hasn't ditched his original group of friends (yet!).   And I know 'banning' him from hanging out with "Bad Seed" isn't the right approach. He'll hang out with Bad Seed regardless of what I say.  So what's the right approach? 

I'm reaching out to my friends who are parents of teenagers, my friends/family who have long since raised teenagers and now have adult children, and my friends who don't have kids, but were the experimental teenager.  As a parent, how do I deal with this without being overbearing and in his face thus pushing my child away or being far too lenient that I just become an enabler and unknowingly walk him down that slippery slope?   Am I panicking right out of the gates?  I'm trying really, really hard to remember back to my teenage years and trying to figure out what the best approach would have been for me.  Had I been busted. 

HELP!!

Parental Jeopardy

The answer is:  Crying.  Also called sobbing, weeping, bawling, or blubbering.

The question (answer):  What is Holly doing after logging into Facebook and stumbling across the most recent picture her son was tagged in?

Take a Jerk to Work Day

Just before I went to Mexico it was "Take Your Kid to Work Day" for Gage's school.  I have to admit I have been secretly looking forward to this day for about two years now.  Never really sure what grade they did it in, but knowing it was coming up.  It never crossed my mind that he might want to go to work with his dad instead of me, so the poor kid had no option. 

I guess I love my job and I love my kid and I secretly hoped once he spent a day with me, he'd understand how important my role can be in someone's life.  And maybe that would make him respect me.  Like as a human being and not "the person who gave birth to him so it goes without saying that he is supposed to respect me".   I'm pretty sure my goal was not achieved.  Though I'm not entirely sure because he barely talks of anything of importance like that.  I do, however,  know the really important stuff like what the next pair of shoes are he wants and that I am supposed to be saving 10 thousand dollars to give to him on his 16th birthday so he can put it towards his car.  You know the real important stuff that lets me know he loves me almost half as much as I love him.

Another Thing Missed

Two weeks into high school and we're $400 dollars poorer.  That's not even from buying new school clothes and supplies.  Gage made the football team!

He's been going to tryouts and practices since the week prior to school even starting.  I'm liking his determination.  Anyway, he found out he made the team.  I'm still not sure yet what position he'll be playing but it will likely involve running, since he's pretty fast.

I believe his first game is next week but I suspect I won't get to attend too many as they are usually in the afternoons.  Probably not a bad thing since it will be crazy cold soon and I have NO idea how the game of football works. 

This news comes to us with bittersweet emotions.  I'm so glad and happy for Gage that he made the team.  He wanted to so badly.  I'm so relieved that he's getting involved in school activities, because I'm pretty sure in order to have a great high school 'career' you need to be involved.  I want his memories of high school to be great (like I have of my years). 

The overwhelming sad feeling I have that he made the team goes back to my dad.  Of course.  Yet another thing he's missing out on that he would have been totally stoked about.  My dad was a huge football fan.  In fact when my brother was born one of the first things my dad got him was a football and his hope was that my brother would be a football player.  That didn't come to fruition but they did enjoy many hours together watching other people play football and my dad was content with that.  I just know though he would have been elated to learn of Gage making the football team and he would have done his damnedest to be at as many games and practices as possible.  So for that reason I'm bummed.  I'm bummed that his 'dreams' for his son skipped past him and landed on his grandson and he's not going to be here to partake in the excitement with us.  I'm sad that he won't be able to share tips with Gage and 'coach' from the sidelines like he did in soccer.  I'm truly upset that I won't hear his screaming and yelling (all in positive ways of course!) from the bleachers and neither will Gage or anyone else for that matter.  I'm depressed that I didn't get to see his face as Gage told him.  I can only imagine the smile....

He was taken way too early.