The start of school and the hoopla on the news over the new Lucas Oil Stadium gets my family excited. We're devout Bears fans and devout Colts fans. I bleed blue and orange!
Luke has been wanting to play football at recess at school. I noticed one day last week that he had been taking his football that my dad gave him to school. I didn't say anything at the time because I wanted to think it over. The opportunity presented itself a few nights later when he had it out and announced he was going to put it back in his backpack for the next day's recess. I began talking to him about the significance of that football. It was the one Pappaw Bob had to play with him. It was the one that was very special. His brothers don't have one from Pappaw, but he does. Etc. My final statement produced silence in the room (a pretty significant accomplishment in my house). "Luke, that's the last football Pappaw will ever give you. If you lose it, it will be gone."
He paused.
His reply stunned me...made me proud...choked me up...it was utterly amazing for an 8 year old boy.
"Maybe not," he said. "Maybe the next one will be gold."
