Please Don't Hurt My Baby!

From the moment our children are born, it is our job to protect them. All of a sudden we become armed guards looking for all potential dangers! We work hard to keep them safe, warm, dry and fed. We baby proof our homes and purchase the most up-to-date car seats, cribs and toys to insure that no harm can come to our babies.

As our children grow, our instinct to protect remains. We may put bumpers on the coffee table to prevent new walker falls, we make them wear a helmet when they bike, roller skate or skateboard. Extracurricular activities are assessed by potential danger (Xtreme sports & football, really?!) and somewhere along the way parents like me realize they had better pray a whole lot more. You see, kids are kids and of the 99 things we work our tails off to protect them from, it's the 1 we didn't think about that will get us every time.

In our lives, with our kids and with us, bad things are going to happen. Things we don't prepare for but things that make us stronger and better than we were the day, week or month before. It's that strength, that learning that can allow us to develop and grow as great individuals with respect for what we've been through.

On Monday, my son Michael will play his first Freshman football game, hopefully starting at the quarterback position. Did I try to protect him from this sport, YES! Is his passion for the sport greater than my fear? YES! You see, in 6th grade Michael suffered a broken shoulder in a scrimmage. After surgery and rehab he played his 7th & 8th Grade season to then have elbow surgery less than 2 months ago. Someone without love or passion for this sport most likely would have given up, and as a parent/protector I sort of hoped he might. Instead, his determination to get back in the game, to earn a quarterback position and be stronger after the whole experience was the choice he made. A choice that I can't help but support 110%.

I know there are amazing stories of fears that have been overcome and character built because of the experience. I hope you have a story of your own that ends with your growth and perseverance. As for me, I'll be watching my son play football on Monday night in full support of him doing what he loves to do. And secretly I'll be praying that the other team's Defensive Line isn't very big and doesn't hit very hard. Inside I'll be screaming "Please don't hurt my baby!!!!"