Friday, November 14, 2008

Augie



For four long years I've washed this suit, and goodness knows, what a chore!
I've seen the grass, the blood, the dirt, the stains and grime galore.
I've held it very gingerly, then dropped it in the wash,
While thinking, "Next week, wash again, O Gee, O Lord, O Gosh!"
I've opened all the windows as I've squirted on the Shout;
I've breathed the fumes that clogged my lungs, of that I have no doubt.
The fortune on detergent, the time I've spent--I shudder.
For four long years I've washed this "suit," you can call me "Mudder."

But today I wash this uniform for perhaps the final time;
After all those years of drudgery, I failed to see the grime.
I saw the boy who wore it with such pride and dignity,
And suddenly the football suit looked beautiful to me.
I saw the dedication of my young man to the team;
His pride to wear the uniform, to play the game and dream.
I felt the tingling of the game, the tumult at the end,
The heart, the spunk, the cheer and pat of every loyal friend.

The character and goodness that this uniform helped grow,
And the precious boy who wore it, so special I can glow.
If I had one wish for certain, the one I would adore,
Would be to wash this uniform for four years more.


By "Mom"

34 comments:

Sassy said...

OH MY STARS!!!! I teared up reading that and then the empty helmet and pads...if you don't mind I would like to copy that for B's scrapbook. As much as I want them to grow up...I DON'T!!! Bless all your ♥'s.

abb said...

After finding my box of Kleenex I'm able to write a reply......and now I have to go cry!
These damn rites of passages are going to just KILL us!

Love you!

Suz Broughton said...

Brilliant! Amazing! Well done! I cried. Really!
Is there no end to your talent?

Flea said...

Oh MPM - what a man you've grown. Commitment, friendship, hard work, team player, gut & glory - way to go, mom. :)

Ellen said...

What a wonderful tribute to your son. I felt the same way just a little less than two years ago when I washed my son's school uniforms for the last time. It just doesn't seem fair that they grow up so fast.

So next year, when you feel the need to wash a smelly uniform, I am sure my son would be happy to give you his rowing unitard for you to launder. No grass, mud or blood stains, but the aroma is not to be missed!

kim-d said...

Here I am, blubbering like at baby, at 4:30 a.m.! The last photo of the helmet and pads was the perfect addition...

Snooty Primadona said...

Awwwwww! I remember those days too. Sometimes it's hard to let them go, but let them go you must. You will survive, as it is a gradual process, thank goodness. Freshman year at college is the start of that process. And no, it doesn't kill you even though you might suspect otherwise....

Country Girl said...

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger, right?
This is an awesome tribute to a rite of passage, Lauren. I commend you as I shed a tear for you.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

What an incredible tribute.

Now, it is Saturday and you've been through a rough emotional patch.

Have some wine.

Anonymous said...

oh...get me the tissues! that was sweet. This is what happens when they get ready to leave us. We get all sentimental and poetic. Enjoy it!

Anonymous said...

Well, that Muse hit you square in the face, yes? Very nice! :^)

Mental P Mama said...

You all are so sweet! I must tell you that i didn't write this--it was given to the parents of the Seniors last night, along with a single red rose. I am still crying. But it really is a wonderful new world for him. Thank you all for your kind words. Lauren

tj said...

...Wow! Is there no end to your talent?! (sniff*sniff)...That was beau-(sniff)-tiful MPM!

...Just beautiful...(*wipingtears*)

...Blessings to you... :o)

Laura ~Peach~ said...

awww how sweet! The passage of time is so mean ... I woudl so enjoy my kids if they were 10 and 6 again...sigh

Lisa said...

Oh thanks a lot. Just what I needed a good cry to start my morning off. This really touched my heart. My son is all the sudden on the outs with me and my heart is broken. To be able to return to the days of mom and son would be so nice. When they take a wife and she doesn't like you, your life as you knew it is OVER! It is so hard.
Treasure your moments they are precious. You are such a good momma, mental or not!

Anonymous said...

Oh that is so sweet. Highschool football is so fun. My dad continued to go to the highschool games years after we graduated.

Will he play college ball?

Anonymous said...

I have no idea how the pro teams get their outfits cleaned up as some of them look bad at the end of a game.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, that's so sweet.
It's hard to watch them moving foward, huh?

Mary said...

Oh how sweet!

Deb said...

OK, I am sitting here sobbing for the beautiful post and secondly for your comment on my blog. Sniff...sniff...where are my tissues?

Hilary said...

That's so tender.. beautiful.

Jules said...

You did a great job mommy....count your blessings and pray they move on after college...now I must go spy on my senior who is having people over...just 15...or 50...it's amazing how she cleans for her bash!
oxox
J

Anonymous said...

Please take lots of notes MPM. In 1.5 years, I will be crying on your shoulder, looking for advice, when I send my wee one out into the Wild Blue Yonder:(

I'll bring the wine.

Adventure girl said...

Ohhhhhhhhhh sweetness and sadness togethers!

Tonjia said...

awwww that is sweet. a real tissue alert!

Egghead said...

So true and it really is a heart breaker when they seem to grow up and away before your eyes. Sweet poem.

Debbie said...

Oh Mama...tearing up here too. I remember Senior night at the last game and parents went out on the field. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I'd been washing a football uniform since he was 9 and oh gosh...this brought back so much!

This was an amazing post, hon!

Love ya!

Anonymous said...

***sigh*** Beautiful. I want mine to stay little forever. Why do they get so big so fast?

bernthis said...

There has to be a place you can send this for publishing for more of the world to see. What beautiful sentiments. Your son is a very lucky kid.

Daryl said...

Oh that was wonderful

I must c/p it to share with my friend Mar whose twinz just played their last HS football game as well ..

:-Daryl

Keetha said...

Oh, Mom. So poignant. That was great.

Joanie said...

Ah, that was special...hard watching them grow up sometimes! :-)

Anonymous said...

That was really beautiful. I need to go find the tissues.

Ellyn said...

Great little poem. He looks to be growing into a fine man. You should be very proud.

Thanks for stopping by and helping me with my project.