A cool breeze floats through the air as the September sun sets adjacent to the slightly browned grass, marked with bright white paint. Shouts radiate from the openness between the concrete bleachers. The bleachers get restless as people settle. Suddenly cheers are coming from the hearts of every Eagle fan as metal cleats scatter across the stairs. A group of uniformed boys, soon men, shuffle down to the field into a manic huddle. Suddenly trumpets blast over the stadium as the team runs through a paper banner. The band begins to cheerfully play the Alma Mater. It's time for Friday Night Football.
Last night my high school's football team played against a team from a neighboring state. We took the field, our record, 3-1. The other team 5-0. It was going to be a hard fought battle, but it was our home to lose, and that just wasn't in the cards. The crowd was ecstatic from the first minutes- something I'd never seen in my years of attending my high school's football games. Resounding "boos" flooded the field following bad calls, chants and cheers after unbelievable plays.
Check the score board. We're winning 21-20. There are two minutes left in the 4th quarter. This is our home and we will protect it. The star player goes down. The entire crowd sits on pins and needles praying that he gets up. Minutes that feel like hours go by. Officials and coaches surround him. Suddenly, he sits up. The crowd is on their feet! YES! This is our night to shine. Suddenly things take a turn for the worst and the score board now reads 21-28. The Eagles attempt to fight their way back down the field in the remaining 6 seconds. Everyone is praying for a miracle. Tonight wasn't our night. Heads hang low as the other team celebrates.
You can't win 'em all, right? Same is true in love and life. Don't let the little losses along the way get you down. Every trial we face in our lives makes us that much stronger and wiser.
Watch out, we're coming for your home next time.
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