text: I have an appointment today at 1; I’ll be home in time to pick up Alice and Janie for dinner and to pick up my son from practice at 4. He’s a Striker on the Michigan Jr. Shooting Stars. One of these day’s he’s going to be seen on TV playing with the professionals I can just feel it. He’s at that age where changes will be coming soon. I have already seen his attitude growing but I know when he’s older I’m going to miss these days. I pulled up to the soccer field 15 min early. I liked to watch him practice just a little bit before it was time to go. He waved at me to acknowledge I was there as I sat on the bleachers to hear the final whistle blow from the coach. “Alright, great practice you guys! Let’s be sure to focus on speed when it comes to drills next week. Some of you are falling behind.” The coach always seemed like a real douche to me but he wore those mini shorts every week which told me he probably didn’t know it wasn’t the 70’s anymore. I waited for my son to grab his gear only to hear him be stopped by his coach. “August, can I talk to you a moment?” My son stopped and headed back. I looked at my watch to see it was already 12:08 and I still had to drop him off at home. I couldn’t make out what the coach was talking to him about but all that mattered was seeing my sons face sink to the floor. “Hey kiddo, everything okay?” I asked as he approached me. “Yeah it’s nothing.” He answered with such melancholy in his voice. “Are you sure? Your face doesn’t say nothing.” I asked again. “I said it’s fine dad can we please just go?” He snapped at me, I stopped pushing the subject and let him get in the car. This team means everything to him..... I hope that prick of a coach knows that. I pulled up to the house with him and unlocked the doors, his face was still drooped the whole car ride home. “Your mom is inside working if you need anything. I am heading to an appointment right now but I’ll be home soon alright?” The door slammed behind him with not a word said. I really do worry sometimes...he may not know it, but he is a part of what makes up my entire world. My appointment wasn’t anything special, I just had to take another physical for work in order to keep my job after a recent injury. I fell down the stairs at the office a few weeks ago and have been having trouble seeing out of my peripheral on my left eye. Turns out it’s nothing that will affect my work so I have one less thing to worry about. The appointment didn’t take long, I was fortunately in and out before 3pm with plenty of time to get back home, relax, then get ready for our monthly family dinner. We have dinner as a family all the time but once a month we like to take the kids out for something special and today just happens to be Dave and Busters. Good food for Alice and I and games for the kids. Today has surely been exhausting but it has been one of the best days. I can’t wait for dinner. I didn’t realize as I was thinking this that my wife was looking right at me the whole time. “What are you off smiling about now?” She giggled to me. “Nothing just...” i sighed in between to wrap my arms around her waist. “I’m feeling extra grateful today. I don’t know why I just... can’t help but be in a good mood.” She pushed me away with a smile and threw my Marvin Martian T-shirt at me. She bent over to lift up her stocking, as if her arms and hands were made of water. That’s all I had to think about to get my blood pumping. Of course right before dinner with no time to spare for a quick one. Isn’t that how married life is though? I rushed downstairs to grab my jacket and keys listening to the bickering screams between my children. “Come on kids your dad is waiting!” Alice yelled out to the top of the stairs. Their thundering roar of their feet was heard again. “Mom can I invite Josh to come with us?” My son asked with a sudden hopeful tone compared to earlier today. “Maybe next time, hurry up to the car I’m starving.” She pushed both of them out the door with haste. Don’t stop that woman from food. This is advice based off experience.