Joy, happiness only reason for tears

After Calvary's 34-14 loss to St. James, my wife and I made our way across the football field from the press box heading toward the car. There was no need to rush as the infinite lines of red tail lights beamed from every exit of the Wildcat campus, so we mingled with the Calvary folks and exchanged handshakes, hugs and words of encouragement.

Without exception, I noticed the tearful, swollen, red eyes of the football players as they faced their fans and team mates on that chilly south Louisiana night. Some may have described the tears as those of sadness, and sure it stung to taste defeat for the first time after a dozen victories in a row.

Being around most of the football players for some four years now, I think their original tears of sadness were soon replaced with tears of reflection on just how far they have come in such a short period of time and that a chapter had closed in their lives. For the seniors, somebody else will be wearing their jersey next year--that same jersey that became soaked with their own blood, sweat and tears will be handed over to some skinny freshman who has never dressed out as a varsity player for Calvary.

I can just see it now. The freshmen and sophomores are probably going to be sitting around the lunch table playing rock, paper scissors or flipping coins to see who gets to wear the jerseys last worn by this year's seniors.

There was once a song entitled "Big Girls Don't Cry" by the Four Seasons. For the life of me, I can't think of a song which says boys (young men) don't cry. Tears are okay! In fact, a few are making tracks down my face as I write this blog.

The tears are not of sadness, but of joy and happiness. I am overcome with joy at seeing what this year's team accomplished. A dozen wins in a row by any team would be an enviable task and one that next year's team should set as a goal to break.

Shed tears of joy for winning the district championship, for having the only artificial surface at any high school in the city on which to play, for finally beating Evangel and for the friendships developed since becoming a member of the Calvary family.

Shed tears of joy for not having to travel to Wilkinson County Mississippi to play a football game, or to Foreman, Arkansas for the same.

Shed tears of joy for having a group of the finest coaches in the nation and for having a superintendent who makes it to your games with broken ribs--because he values you.

Shed tears of joy knowing that you have experienced what many students your age would love to have.

Shed tears of joy knowing that you have done your best and have dedicated your season to glorifying God.

Shed tears of joy because you are a Calvary Cavalier, and always will be.

When I was in high school, we won the state championship in football, basketball and would have won in track if our sprinter didn't move to Opelousas his senior year. We had quarterbacks who went on to become college stars and moved on to become NFL legends. However, I was more proud of this year's Calvary football team than of any team I have ever been around.

Thanks for the memories.