After a delightful drive to Bend talking with Mr. DeVos as Greg drove, we ate at five guys and headed to the field. We had no idea how tough this game would be played. As mentioned I just prayed and hoped no one would leave in an ambulance. The weather was gorgeous 50 degrees. No need for the many winter layers I had prepared. The guys were warming up and getting ready. We stood at the top of the bleachers stretching our legs and getting ready to watch.
There were easily double the fans for the Vale side. Our crowd is quiet and intense. The opposing team is loud and racous. I prefer the quiet group.
The game did not go so well. They were outplayed. As one coach put it later we played our worst game and they played their best. Mark however did have a great game making key stops and working hard all the way through. The end was a loss 42-16. There were many tears shed by players, coaches, and families.
My dad got to hug Mark first. The support and love of the community was very strong in these moments. The guys were heartbroken. Their families were sad but together we mourn and then hopefully we all move on and continue to support and encourage each other. Truly the amount of community interest and support is inspiring.
My friends, I offered to take their pictures. The coaches individually encouraged and consoled each player.
The gathering circle where he talked to them and shared his gratitude for them as a team. People who hadn't been at a high-level game were surprised at the tears and the emotion. Having experienced last year we were not. It's pretty rare for young men to cry in public but this was a huge loss and crush of hope. The beauty is the team that is also feeling the loss. They were not disappointed alone. And it is together that they pick up and digest the feelings.
I am so pleased with this guy and his season. He has taken this well. Reminding me time and again this weekend. "It is over, there is no point in throwing blame."
These are not happy faces with the second-place trophy. It's the trophy no one pictured wants but many many who aren't playing would love to have. In the last 30 years 17 times Vale made it into the playoffs, 4 times into the championship round, and 2 times as the top players. There were many times these guys were the best. For most of their careers, they won, but the few times they lost it cut pretty deep.
Today washing his jerseys for the last time. It's bittersweet. Obviously, he played a month longer than ever before. I will miss seeing him play just like I missed John playing this year, and wish we would have seen Harold develop further. But I know he has a lot of life ahead. He made a positive impact leading the defense and managing his fellow teammates. He uplifted and moderated. He encouraged and stopped things. He has grown so much.
As I posted today you never know in Vale when your last game will be, because if you keep winning you keep playing. This year they went all the way and played every game possible. There were many injuries to fellow teammates that should have ended their high school playing but because they kept winning they had more time and those players came back. They played as a complete unit at the end healthy and strong. That's all you can ask to play every game. So with some sadness and immense relief and gratitude, we wash these and return them. That chapter of life closed for Mark. Reed improved immensely with an extra month of work. All the freshmen did. They will come back more prepared and ready for another year in 2025. Life is good we are blessed with a long view.
My brother had told my family a while ago he was glad he had lost his bid for State FFA officer as a senior and that his entire life would be totally different if that had happened. That he would not be where he is today if that had worked out. This really touched Mark. Thankfully he internalized it and realized there is something else out there to accomplish and become. The power of a large dynamic family is the many versions of living. The interests and experiences they live and share shape our approach as well. We are thankful to each one for their love and support. Healing happens in safe loving environments. We have that for sure.
As we rode home in the dark in our semi-full van Harold, Anna, Reed, Addie, Mark, Jeb, Greg, and Mr. DeVoss it was peaceful. We stopped at Glory Days Pizza in Burns. My parents my sisters and their kids were all there waiting. We filled three tables. That's love and safety. Being encircled in the family and accepted no matter what you weathered. We are blessed and our Life is so good.
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