My Mom

This teenager lived alone with his mother, and
the two of them had a very special relationship.
Even though the son was always on the bench,
his mother was always in the stands cheering. She
never missed a game.
This young man was still the smallest of the class
when he entered high school.
But his mother continued to encourage him but also
made it very clear that he did not have to play
football if he didn't want to. But the young man
loved football and decided to hang in there.
He was determined to try his best at every practice,
and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior.
All through high school he never missed a practice
nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years.
His faithful mother was always in the stands, always
with words of encouragement for him.
When the young man went to college, he decided to try out
for the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure
he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted
that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his
heart and soul into every practice, and at the same time,
provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they
badly needed.
The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much
that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his mother.
His mother shared his excitement and was sent season tickets
for all the college games. This persistent young athlete
never missed practice during his four years at college, but he
never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior
football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field
shortly before the big playoff game, the coach met him with
a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became
deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My
mother died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice
today?"
The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said,
"Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to
come back to the game on Saturday.
Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the
third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent
young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put
on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach
and his players were astounded to see their faithful team-mate
back so soon.
"Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today,"
said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him.
There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close
playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling
sorry for the kid, the coach gave in.
"All right," he said. "You can go in." Before long, the
coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe
their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before
was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop
him. He ran, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began
to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds
of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way
for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His team-mates
hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never
heard!
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered
and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man
was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came
to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic!
Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?"
He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said,
"Well, you knew my mom died, but did you know that my mom was
blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile,
"Mom came to all my games, but today was the first time she
could see me play, and I wanted to show her I could do it!"

I hope that story inspires you.