Busy, Busy - Fun, Fun

       I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always a pleasure to read what everyone writes about their lives.

         I've been away, no blogging since last Wednesday, and it's been a marvelous five days. I visited my son, daughter-in-law and grandson Carter in Lubbock, Texas to see them all of course, but especially to see Carter and his marching band. Marching band is a very big deal in this town of Lubbock, I think all of Texas. One nice thing is that it's as big a deal as football, and they are not cutting music programs!

      I haven't been to a Friday Night Lights game in a long time, and this time they showed me more than I've remembered from years ago! The parents of Carter's marching band have a rolling grill and a trailer because they feed the kids before every game, and most times they feed the opposing team's band, too. That's 600 plus people! I couldn't take pics of the kids without permission, but there are pics of my son and daughter-in-law, on the "Grill Team". I was the person giving helpings of tortilla chips, and loved having small chats with all those wonderful high school kids, showing such gratitude for being fed, having such a great time with their friends before they marched across the road to the stadium, and then at half-time at the game. These kids do all that they do, plus practice every day (either morning or after school) and have been doing this since the beginning of August. I admire their dedication and grit, working to make as perfect a "show" as they can.

         

               On Saturday, there was a regional marching band competition at another stadium, and I saw Carter's band there earn a one, and the right to move on to the next competition next weekend, after the Friday night game and performance too! And this at a town a few hours away. The band has a semi that carries the equipment and instruments, and a touring bus that takes them to away games. Amazing! And they are fortunate to have all this. There is over 300 in the band.

             On Saturday afternoon, it was time for the Texas Tech game at night, but we had to be there mid-afternoon because my son has managed to have his Boy Scout Council be in charge of delivering bags of ice to all the tail-gaters and refreshment stands at the stadium. Each Scout and parent who shows up gets a part of what is earned to help them pay to go to the National Jamboree next summer. Whew! We got to watch part of the game, drive around in little ATVs for deliveries, and I even got to ride down the same entrance that the football players run down, and be on the field. Tail gating was over the top. I am amazed at the number of people and businesses there, music from bands, games for young kids, and so on!

         

        My slice of life visiting was a time for memories, but also to see how my own "kids" support their "kid" and many other parents working hard to help their own "kids". This made me proud, and made me want that kind of support for all kids. I know that some parents cannot make the time for a variety of reasons, but hope they do show up sometimes, because it means a lot. I was happy to be a part this weekend, to support my grandson. It brought back good memories to me, too, of when I was a parent, busy running here and there, having fun.

       

        And, one more thing! I got to be driven around by Carter for a while. He's a beginning driver, not licensed yet, but WOW, time does fly, doesn't it?