Tears of Joy and Pride

I was really not sure when the last time I cried occurred, until that changed today. If my memory serves me right, the last time I had a really good cry was when the first dog, that was really mine, Avery passed away. I got her when I was 22 or 23 and she lived 13 years, so sometime around the 35th or 36th year of my life. I am a little over a month away from my 51st birthday, so it has been a while.

During that time I have lived in 4 different cities, gotten married, become a father to 3 boys, owned 2 dogs and a cat (one of which is still alive), I have coached 16 seasons of soccer & baseball & flag football & basketball, voted in at least 4 presidential elections and have owned 5 different cars. For perspective, Tom Brady has been to 7 Super Bowls and won 4 (including one against my Falcons), LeBron has played in 5 NBA finals and won 2.

Sure, I have teared up watching an emotional movie or show, or during my time as a coach when something incredible happened in a game or during an after game speech, but flat out cried, no sir, no mam, no way! Until today!!!!

Earlier this morning, I saw a video podcast where one of my middle child's swim coaches discussing starting a non-profit. She told the story about how she got her seed money for the charity and I simply could not hold back the tears. The story goes something like this -Wyatt's coach lost her job during the pandemic and he wanted to help her out, so he went into his piggy bank and got $20.00 and before practice, stopped and gave it to her with the comments to the effect of "I believe you need this more that me". Obviously his coach refused the gift, but Wyatt would not take it back, so she decided to save the $20.00 and used it as the first deposit for her non-profit Fulshear Area Aquatic Foundation.

Now I was aware of his actions when it happened, but to listen to his coach discuss her experience, it simply brought me to tears - full on crying tears of joy and pride.

As I continue to feel bad as I fuss at the kids to clean up their room and to put down their phones and watch all the other awful noise and hate going on in the world, I get to look at my own son and be reminded that a child with $20.00 can make a difference and bring his father to tears. As I finish this commentary, I feel another good cry coming on, Jimmy V might be smiling down today on the Watts household.

To hear the story, please follow the link below https://www.facebook.com/outsidethescope/videos/467758087866593/