I have been reminded … reminded of the tremendous impact the sport of wrestling can have on us all!

As I was leaving the arena after this morning session I happened across three men, sharing similar thoughts. They weren’t sharing in a typical fashion but they were sharing in their individual solitude … sharing the same emotions.

First there was the father walking a few feet from his son. He was biting his lower lip. I could see the pride in his face. He had watched his son grow into a young man. He had prepared his son for the journey.

Next there was the high school coach. He couldn’t speak … as he was choked up with emotions. He had spent hours in the mat room encouraging this young man. He had helped to develop both the physical as well as the mental tools it would take to survive.

Then there was the young man. A few minutes earlier, he was thanking those around him for everything they contributed in his life. Now, he sat in a corner chair, at the edge of a wrestling mat. The same mat where he had probably wrestled the final match of his career. The emotions of the moment had overcome all three men.

I am not positive what any of the three were thinking. But I imagine that their thoughts were of closing a chapter. I wish I would have had some magical words for the three. But I didn’t … and probably, I couldn’t share them if I did because of my own emotions.

Often in life, we don’t recognize when one chapter ends and another begins. However, this time it was clear. I trust the young man will embrace this next chapter. And his father and his coach will find some solace in knowing … they have prepared the young man for the path!