Southern Musings

Hello and welcome to the world of Friday in the South during the fall. During the fall, the entire state of Alabama, and several other southern states, should be on a mandatory four day work week. Why? Friday night activities often require at least a shorter workday.

Football season is accompanied with tailgating and traditions. There are dinners to attend and special activities that have either become a tradition or are well on their way to becoming a new tradition. One such new tradition is the parents walking out the senior football players at the last home game.  Sounds like fun, right? 

It probably will be nice for the football player. They are being honored by their parents for their accomplishments. Their parents are showing how proud they are of their “little” boy. Okay, so the boy is more of a man than a boy. What if they also happen to be shy? Or what if their parents do not have money to buy dress clothes to wear? Will they still be proud of their parents walking them out, or will they instead be embarrassed? I think it is a personal thing. Some would be embarrassed and others would remain happy.

At my son’s school, there is a wide range of income levels. Some even with low income will go out and spend money they need on other items to have a fancy outfit so as to not embarrass their child by wearing the best that they currently have in the closet. That is a little beyond my doings. Especially, for something that will last maybe 15 minutes.

Then comes the tough part. The parents must sit through the football game in dress clothes and try to avoid ruining them. How often do you go to a football game and someone sitting near you spills their drink or food? Unless you wear dress clothes daily, then just sitting in them may be uncomfortable. Imagine sitting on hard concrete in your best clothes.

I personally feel that it is important that we support our children in the positive things that they are doing. I actually feel guilty that I have not been able to attend all of my son’s games the past few years. Between school and work and then working two jobs, my energy has been zapped by game nights. Dragging myself to a game in a tshirt and jeans is difficult enough. Wearing dress clothes is a frightening thought to me. Walking out on the field is terrifying.

Even though I’m not fond of this new tradition, I will take part. Why? Because I love my son and I am so proud of him! He has spent most of his high school football career standing on the sidelines. He has practiced as hard as the rest of the players but has seen very little to no playing time for every game. I would never have the patience to stand their and watch others do what I want to do.

Football in the south is a money game. It costs money for your child to play. No, the school does not have pay to play, but they have so many “booster” projects and items that the money really adds up. Add in the cost of gas, admission, and concessions, and the dent to your budget gets even bigger.

For those of us that are not part of the wealthier group, southern Friday nights can cause additional strain. We may have to eat cheaper the rest of the week. We may even have to put off purchases of items that are not completely necessary. We may save all year to help pay for the expenses of the fall. Whatever we must do, we find a way to do it. Why? Because we are southern parents. True, there are many around the world that do everything that they can for their children. People all around the world have similiar experiences. As a southern parent, our thing is often football. For some, the sport season never ends because their child is into a wide variety of sports. These young men and women will complete one sport and move immediately into another one. Today, I am thanking my lucky stars that my sons have backed away from a couple of sports. I do get a little break between sports.

Today is Friday in the south. Football is the game of choice tonight. Work must take a backseat to the task at hand. It is time to put on our dress clothes, go to the game and walk out proudly beside our wonderful son. Senior year is a special time in his life. This particular southern Friday night is one that I hope he will have fond memories of for years to come.