The Final Whistle.

Tonight was an emotional evening on the soccer field.
The last soccer game of Jake's high school career.
Actually, the last game of a 12 year career.
The final whistle to this final season was blown.

It just doesn't seem possible.

As I watched my son fall to his knees, his head in his hands, the reality of this moment hit me like a ton of bricks. Usually able to capture every moment with my camera, my eyes swelled with tears, and I turned the camera off. As I watched him struggle for his composure, the last twelve years of soccer crowded around the edges of my mind.

I remembered the little six year old boy running up to the car imploring me to stop reading my book and to start watching him play; the games at the Barryton field where we started with his friends Stevie, AJ, Tyler, Spencer, Ryan and Chris;  his wonderful coaches, Jim, Marty, Theresa, Rick and Justin who inspired him and helped him develop his skills;  the struggles to find teams to play on around our little town, and the disappointments when not finding any.

I remembered the tournament in Traverse City where he and his team got their butts kicked up and down the field;  and Traverse City two years later, when they, the Road Warriors, kicked butt and won the tournament.

I remembered the Indoor soccer games during the off-season in Cedar Springs and Greenville; pick up games with the Lakeview and Cadillac spring and summer teams.

I remembered meeting his new teammates for his senior year. They welcomed him with open arms. I can't imagine not having had Adam, Jon, Patrick, Caleb, Tom and Tyler in his life.

These twelve years along the sidelines of the soccer field flew right by.
There is no rewind button, no chance to play another one tomorrow.

These really were glory days, and I don't know which one of us is going to miss it the most.