converted

Last Saturday morning after dropping Megan off at the airport

{picture by Hailey}

We ran home, threw together some blankets, warm clothes & hot cocoa - it was raining buckets, went to the bathroom (sat down my camera & left it....aaargh!)

then headed out to

The Rio Tinto Stadium

to watch Rugby Jack go at it again.

We got to the pro-stadium, sat down in our seats,

the rain stopped & the match began...

ARE YOU SITTING DOWN?

because- you are not going to believe this!

I loved it

I had an awakening of sorts.

A change of heart.

Every rugby game I have ever been to has been me sitting on the side lines.

From the side lines it looks like a jumbled up mess of flesh

going after a ball, all willy nilly, who knows what?

But in a stadium....

with stadium seating...

-WOW-

When you can see it... Rugby is kind of cool.

there is stadegy & purpose to all that huddling stuff- who knew?

Dear Rugby Jack-

I am sorry. I am truly sorry that I have been giving you heck for playing rugby for the past three years. I am sorry that I did not support you & get excited for your games like a mother should. I feel bad that I didn't order you the team sweats or bag, just because, "you are a senior & you won't be playing next year"- (even though I bought many, many t-shirts last year.) I am proud of you for sticking with it, going to practices & being part of a team. It was fun watching you play the whole first half on Saturday, although I will admit when the punches flew & while other boys were getting smashed into the grass I was on pins & needles. As the other team, parents & coaches got into fights yelling obscenities... I was proud of my boy & his team- such great sportsmanship! Even though every time you got the ball I screamed, "just throw the ball Jack- hurry!" It wasn't because I didn't think you could do it... you see I am your mother. You may not like it, it may seem crazy, but you will always in my mind be my baby. The worst part about being a mom is I make a lot of mistakes. Surely just when I get really good at it- everyone will move out.

I finally saw rugby. I am sad that you are playing in your final tournament this weekend. Even though I didn't miss all your games, I did miss out. I will be there. I hope I can see the game- not just the mess of bodies & supposed confusion. Good luck.

I love you,

mom

p.s. remember your senior photo session is next weekend so do me a favor-

keep your face off the grass okay?!

You can see Jack's Rugby team here