My son is my baby. He is the youngest and he was always the most affectionate. As parents, by the time the second child comes, you are so much more relaxed. He is the bug watcher, the dirt digger and an the emotional Titan. Although I am a sports style person, I have not pushed any particular sport on my children. Of course we tried to see if there was interest in him for swimming, running and cycling, which is what my wife and I do. He was having none of that as it didn't light his fire. My son is of a very moderate temperament so we were patient and didn't push this. Well it seems he has found his nitch and he brought it up to us, not us to him.
I don't want to say I didn't think he had it in him but he has a drive for this I didn't see coming. It is a extremely physical and tough sport. I've always thought of him as a thinking man, always ruled by his desire, not someone else's.
As this season develops for him, I have spoke with the coach many times about my son. He offered a perspective on my son that makes sense. He said that physically, he has everything he needs because he is strong. He stated that where my son excels is that it is like a chess game on the mat. That's what sets him apart, it's a thinking mans sport, the strongest is not the best, and my son can think his way through a problem. His physical strength just means he has time to think his way through the competition.
It has been wonderful for me and my son going to competitions around the state. Watching him, being there for him, standing at the mat before a match to help him. I appreciate his honesty with me. I've asked right before he is about to face an opponent, "how do you feel", and he has said the truth, "dad, I'm nervous". I share with him what I know to be truth and said, "that's normal but that will all go away once you start". He never over celebrates a win and he isn't crushed by a loss. Gosh, really great attributes to have for life.
