Graduation can be tough on parents

Every year around this time the torch is passed from one class to the next. The senior class of athletes from Warren County High School and Boyd Christian have wrapped up their high school careers this week and although many of them might not realize it right now, they have played their last game as a high school athlete.

The responsibility of the senior athlete each year is to be a leader and to make sure, whatever sport they play, the team has benefited from their effort as a ball player.

The team should have benefited from the work ethic and sportsmanship the senior athlete displayed not just during his or her senior year, but throughout their high school career.

I believe this senior class of athletes has done exactly that. A successful team can’t always be judged by the number of wins or losses, but rather the character they displayed, while participating and representing their school.

Like the senior class of four years ago, this group of seniors has a special place in my heart. Friday night my youngest daughter, Catherine, will be walking across the stage as one of the members of the class of 2008.

When Candace graduated four years ago, it was a very difficult and emotional experience, something I thought I would be able to handle, and hopefully it would prepare me for Catherine’s graduation.

But so far it hasn’t. Catherine’s senior year as a Lady Pioneer soccer player has been difficult to sit through. Watching one of your sons or daughters play their last high school game is very emotional and only those parents who have gone through this experience can relate to what I’m saying.

And for the ones who haven’t experienced the emotions of a graduating senior, just wait. That son or daughter will be walking across the stage sooner than you think.

When your kids are born all dads dream of seeing their kids out on the field running and playing. Some have visions of high school stars, others see the next Joe Montana or Candace Parker.

Yes, I too had those visions, but I knew I would be happy with whatever they decided to do. I knew my kids would be at best average athletes and that was fine with me.

Catherine enjoyed softball and soccer at an early age, and when she got to the middle school I could tell soccer was going to be her favorite sport.

At times I pushed her when she needed it and maybe sometimes I pushed too hard. But she always knew I was only trying to make her realize her potential no matter how mad she got at me.

But Catherine was always willing to work hard and do what the coaches asked of her, letting them do their job, regardless of how much playing time she got or didn’t get.

What made me the proudest of her during the past four years at the high school was her dedication to the soccer team and that she did it because she loved the game.

Twenty years from now these kids aren’t going to remember how many games they won or loss. The only thing they’re going to remember is how they were treated and the joy they got out of being part of a team.

If your child has been fortunate enough to have played ball at the high school level and they are graduating, all those years of playing ball in the back yard, running them back and forth to practice, all those hours spent traveling with them from one tournament to the next during the summer, will soon be just a very happy memory.

To Catherine and all of the 2008 graduates, congratulations, you did it.