by Marcus R. Geiser Sr

Originally Published: July 31st, 2012

Life is a constant struggle to provide for a family. It seems as thought the resources never go far enough. Long days and hard work conspire to have me questioning the choices I have made. My faith in God allows me to expect better days. I live one day at a time and do my best to take life on life’s terms. Just when the burden seems to heavy to bear something happens to strengthen my faith and restore my hope in people. These are life’s greatest moments.

First Football Practice With Marcus Jr.

Standing in line at the ice cream stand with Marcus Jr. as I often find my self during the hot summer months. We had the good fortune to run into the midget football coach. My son has been asking about playing football for years. I wanted to get him started when he was old enough to really focus and stick with it. The coach told us about the league and that we could still sign up. MJ as we call him around the house lit up. Little did I know that right then and there his mind was made up. He would be doing battle on the gridiron this year.

Eric his best friend from across the street started football practice and the coach still had not called me back. The first day of practice MJ came up and asked if he started football today? I let him know no one had returned my call and let me know what we needed to do. He was very frustrated and on the verge of tears. I assumed he just wanted to go with his friend for something to do. I t would be revealed to me over the next two days that I was very mistaken.

Day two of football practice and still no word from the coach. I have been working late and just barely surviving. This is where he almost has a complete and total breakdown. I knew he meant business and was serious about playing football. No more phone calls, no more waiting around, we simply got in the truck and went after what he wanted. We show up at the practice field and find the coach. The coach provides us with the proper paperwork to fill out and instructs us on when and where to get a physical.

This is on a friday evening and I had about three dollars to my name. The grand total of the bill due on Monday is: $150.00 registartion fee, $15.00 for a physical, $50.00 cleats, socks, mouth guard, and other gear, as well as gas for the truck to get to the store. No money, no options, and it has been raining off and on rinsing down the gutter my hope of making any money along with the leaves and debris. I still have my faith and pray something will work out. I can’t let down my little boy.

Thank God for rain and old roofs. That night on Facebook my wife sees a post from her oldest dearest friends mom about a leaky roof. I offer to take a look at it. I stop by the next morning on my way to do some work I promised for my lawyer, who has been there for me for me through most of my stupidity. I pull up in my F-150 with less than a 1/4 tank of gas with three dollars for coffee  hoping to be able to help each of us out of our situation. I’ll give you the short version, I’ll save them a thousand on the roof and make maybe $700 in the process. Prayer answered thank God one of life’s great moments.

First Day of Practice

Up before six, sweating to the roar of locomotives blasting down the tracks at 40 mph 25 feet from the house, while the sun bakes me from a million miles away. Too hot to work we wrap it up at one pm and head home. After a shower and a quick nap MJ and my wife return from the physical and we head off to practice. I am still a little worried about what the experience of playing football will be like for both of us.

We go the locker room to get fitted for a uniform and this is where things take a turn. It is the moment most south-western Pennsylvania die-hard Steelers fan Dads wait for from the time we hear ” It’s A Boy!”  Surrounded by tiny little helmets and shoulder pads we waited our turn. The coach calls my son over and I watch my 62 pound little boy step up to the 250 pound coach and begin his journey. Girdle, rib pads, pants, shoulder pads, and such the pile grows. I hear the coach tell my son your Dad will help you get it all on. It get the funny look, this is after all the first time my son has ever had to get dressed in a football uniform in a crowded locker room. With just a glance we speak a volume and I tell him ” get down to the boxers and let’s go, yep right here!”

I call upon the memories of my Al Bundy years at Polk high and get all the pads placed. One piece of gear at a time the transformation occurs. Soon we are on our way to the truck to go to practice. I turn around and watch my baby come out of the locker room a little boy. No longer the child who needs a “damn baid” for every little scratch, but a warrior in full battle gear ready for war.

The vision is one that will never leave me. The tight pants with pads that look so familiar from TV every Sunday. Broad shoulders tapering down to a thin waist, practice jersey snuggly fitted over top. There was zero apprehension on his face, no fear of the unknown, just a confident look that told everyone I’m a football player. This is one of life’s greatest moments.

I realized today what I have been seeing develop in my son for some time. I know I might be partial because he does carry my name, Marcus Roba Geiser Jr. but there is an air of confidence with this kid. I work in construction and he will come to work any chance he gets. I see his attitude and work ethic and it really amazes me sometime. He has a willingness that allows him to jump right into any task. It doesn’t matter if it is carrying cement blocks to a dumpster or finishing drywall if I will show him how he knows he can do it. Only seven but wants to work, earn money, and spend it as he sees fit. It gives me hope for a bright future for him. I see something different in all my children and in him I see a CEO, vice president, or politician.

Taking the Field

Watching him run out onto the field in that uniform with his little cleats was another of life’s greatest moments. Seeing him out there with the six, seven, and eight year olds all dressed and ready is a thing only by seeing can you truly appreciate. I was beaming with pride and just sat there taking it all in truly enjoying life to the fullest degree I can remember in a long time.

Practice get underway way and the routine begins. stretching, sit ups, push ups, etc. It was at this point I began to actually glow and feel the pride turn to a warm glow. To see my son sprinting for the first time in such a setting was simply amazing. When it became obvious he had some athletic ability as he consistently finished in the first batch of kids across the line I was excited. The hitting drills, watching him get down in a stance, and so many other little things just provided so much joy I am left without words to describe.

As I stand by and watch my son develop a personality and character all his own it amazes me. He is head strong, a little defiant at times, and loves to challenge authority. This makes both our lives a little difficult at times. I see so much of me and the way I think in him it feels strange at times. I give him a lot of leeway because I see in him an intelligence and understanding that surpasses his years. I have always felt “because I said so” was frankly a bunch of bullshit. This is why I try to explain things to him and allow him to arrive at an understanding. Watching the light go on and seeing him develop an idea based on a theory of right and wrong, fairness, or something scientific is always one of life’s greatest moments. It makes me realize life’s greatest moments are what this is all about.

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