Father's Eyes

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Little Valley Miniatures

A Father's Eyes

This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very
special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father
was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young man was
still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father
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
father 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 to 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 father. His father 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 play off 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 father 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 teammate 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, he passed,
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 teammates 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
dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard
and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he
could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"

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