Posted on Mar 02, 2008 15:27
To those parents who may see this sport as a financial hardship, take note:
My family may be in an affluent school district, but we are by no means affluent. The affluent moved in on us. My children are the sixth generation to live in this little valley. That being said, I don't begrudge one dime I have spent on the thirteen years that my sons have wrestled. They have been afforded the "luxury" of travel and seeing parts of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio that they may never have been in the position to experience. I've gotten a geography lesson, myself, driving all over the region.
For my family, the investment has paid off. For all the sacrifices, both financially and with our time (my most valuable commodity), my family has grown as a very solid and cohesive unit. Sure, the focus may be on Bryan's next match, but the hours in the car and sitting in the stands over the years has bonded us as no other activity could.
I don't regret one tournament, one day of bleacher-butt, or one new pair of jeans I may have had to give up to spend time with my children or buy a new pair of wrestling shoes. Give them the tools, and thank your lucky stars when one of them uses them.
My son is going to be wrestling at Princeton, yeah, the one in New Jersey, next season. Now the real investment starts. I won't be able to attend even half of his bouts, but it's not about me. It's about contributing to his growth and development as a young man. I have no worries about his going so far from the Commonwealth, because his years as a wrestler has taught him discipline, a strong work ethic and a desire to succeed.
Not all of your children will be champions on the podium, my oldest wasn't, but they will be champions of your heart. I have worked extra jobs and seen a tremendous "return" on my investment. Please do all you can to support all of our young wrestlers.
This is not only a sport, it is an extended family born of sweat and cauliflower ear, headgear lost and too many second place medals. Pay it forward and the dividends you reap will be boundless.