I recently attended my youngest son’s high school senior send-off during his lacrosse game’s half time. This is a tradition the school does when the parents and family members walk across the field with their son while the younger players hold their lacrosse sticks to make a tunnel in the shape of an upward V. It was super cool.
My son whispered to me before we walked through the tunnel how difficult it was to hold up the sticks for the length of time to have all the seniors walk with their family. He has done it since 6th grade for the seniors who preceded him.
I thought I would be sad or a bit teary-eyed, but you would have thought this event was only about me. I was talking to his younger teammates through the tunnel, nodding away, hooting and hollering a bit…silly stuff. Dylan didn’t bat an eye. He’s known me for 18 years. This is obviously behavior he knows well. At one point after I finished walking, I waved my hand in the air while turning to the crowd. Maybe 30 people were in the stands if that. A dear friend took a video as well as some still pictures.
A fellow mother, one that I have known since they were very young, suggested we wear one of our son’s jersey for the ceremony. No brainer! I had less to plan for a more complete outfit if I took this great advice. I did have a blouse on under the jersey which was nice enough.
Well, thank goodness for another reason. After sitting in the bleachers during the two remaining periods of the game, I remained seated, but I had removed the jersey immediately after going back to the bleachers.
After the game, while walking towards the field to see my son, a mother stopped me to say that my zipper was halfway down.
My mind went crazy. Was it like that throughout the ceremony and all my shenanigans? My prancing comes at a price.
Then I remembered that I was wearing the jersey. Still, my bravado had already shrunk two sizes by then. I’m not convinced that I wasn’t a little exposed.
Actually, there is no good excuse.
However, I am blaming everything on genetics. My brother’s nickname was “Zip” when he was young since he always forgot to zip up his pants.
In all seriousness, the kudos go to my son, the team and the coaches for all of their hard work. The incredible team moms work tirelessly and are selfless too.
It shouldn’t matter that I may be a little more excited than I thought to be an empty nester.
This has been a rough week, with tax day, the tragic Notre Dame fire, and all the usual intensity of plugging away at parenting just everyday life…
A smile or a laugh can turn your day around.
This is SO FUNNY!!! Every single person on the planet has had this happen and felt the exact same way. It’s just so funny how it means nothing to someone else, but the mortification that you experienced is all so real!!!
That’s funny I keep my fly down just to get some extra attention , works like a charm !!!