Soaked to the Soul

Not sure if Hurricane Ike was stronger than they predicted or if it was just coincidence rains hit my sister in Texas and us in Wisconsin Rapids -- all stinkin' day!

Carter had football this afternoon. The Rapids Raptor "gray team" took another loss, this time to the tough team from Medford. A shutout -- 18-0.

Honestly, it reminded me of a Vikings game. Always driving down to the Red Zone and failing to capitalize with a score -- either turning it over on downs or the dreaded interception. Just like us fans cursing from the couch on Sundays, it was very frustrating for the kids today.

Carter ended up having quite a bit of playing time today, mainly because one of the offensive starters got injured (nothing serious as far as we can tell). So #28, known for his blistering blocking, was thrown into some unfamiliar territory. The result: he had two of our false-start penalties. On one, the other team jumped offsides so the penalties were offset. The other, unfortunately came on a 4th down play with 2 yards to go so they were forced to pass on 4th and a bunch. The pass was intercepted. Certainly not his fault directly, but he was a bit down about it.

He did say the coach said there were a lot of things the whole team should have been doing better all along so we wouldn't have had to be in that position. I'm glad he's saying that. Some people only see the one big play, not the big picture. How every little thing adds up to the sought-after W or the unfortunate L.

I'm guilty of that, too. Not so much in sports but in life. Something goes wrong and I think the world's against me and my life is being orchestrated by the Tidy Bowl Man. Then I take a step back, see the big picture and realize I am blessed so many times over, I have no reason or right to complain. Think about that the next time you think "it sucks to be me."

Even today, standing and playing in the rain for two hours. Think of how much fun we were having in our rain compared to those devastated and possibly homeless because of that other rain.

Put away that super-sized golf umbrella and smile.