Football Season and Papa Duty, I love it

Well, we have a new football season underway at Berry Middle School (Scout is in the 8th grade) and Spain Park HS (Nick is a Junior) where two of my grandsons attend and both play football. So I will now be attending games on Thursday night, Friday night and then on Saturday watching my Alabama Crimson Tide. Now on Saturday, the main event is the game itself but on Thursday and Friday night it is the pre and post game activities that I enjoy as well, spending time with my grandsons and just talking.

Shannon, my daughter, has to travel occasionally and as many of you have experienced that places the parental duties on the remaining parent, Kevin. During this time I try and pitch in to help relieve the scheduling conflicts that are always present when raising a family, their trying to be in two places at one time. This is especially true during sports events.

Thursday night was Scout's season opener, a pre-season game sort of, but important never the less. Kevin had to work a little late so I went by and picked up Max (youngest), we grabbed something to eat and headed to the game. During our meal at McDs we discuss a lot of different things and some I have to wonder how we got onto that particular topic but I just go with the flow and enjoy it.

Once we got to the game, Max headed on to enjoy the social aspect of the games, visiting with his friends he had not seen in a awhile while I sat and watched the 7th grade team play...waiting on Scout's 8th grade team. I believe those aluminum bleachers are getting harder on my rear end or is it the weight I now have bearing down on it??? When Scout's team came on the field I saw him line up at wide receiver and he played a good bit of two quarters and I saw it all. I know that it is hard for me to watch an 8th grade game without having a family connection on the playing field. I know they want to win and I want them to win as well, but I really enjoy seeing the development of my grandsons on the field, year after year. From my seat I can see the plays develop and also see where they breakdown. On one play Scouts job was to drive the line backer back and away from the side lines, but he was not going to be carrying the ball, so maybe it didn't seem as important to him being the 'diversion". But that is something we all suffer from sometime, being the helper and not the star. If I sometimes find it hard showing the intensity and urgency when I am just a member of the backup, how can I I expect Scout to perform like a college or pro player in the assignment of faking out the defense....it shows up in the plays development. But he will get better with experience. I don't think the line backer was taking the bait. That we could talk about after the game. I truly believe football or any team sport builds character. Like Bear Bryant said to his players, football can help prepare you for life's challenges. How you prepare and practice and do not give up in facing adversity on the field can help in life.

"I have always tried to teach my players to be fighters. When I say that, I don't mean put up your dukes and get in a fistfight over something. I'm talking about facing adversity in your life. There is not a person alive who isn't going to have some awfully bad days in their lives. I tell my players that what I mean by fighting is when your house burns down, and your wife runs off with the drummer, and you've lost your job and all the odds are against you. What are you going to do? Most people just lay down and quit. Well, I want my people to fight back." -- Paul "Bear" Bryant

On the way home we stopped by McDs and Scout ordered some food to go and we headed to the house. Scout said "thank you for coming to my game, Papa" and that was all I needed. I think it made a difference to have me in the stands watching. And the fact that we could discuss and analyze his playing shows I am watching and I am interested and in a sense I am on the field with him during those times.

As I said, Football and Papa duty, I love it!

Update on Julie Howell Aug 14th 2008

I juts wanted to let everyone know they have found a medication to manage Julie's pain, the morphine was having no effect what-so-ever because of the pain meds they had her on for the back pain prior to the surgery. They switched to another pain med that I cannot pronounce let alone spell, but it has worked wonders. Last night she was laughing and joking and eating cheeseburgers. She was up walking yesterday as PT and will be again today. Based on the progress the Doctors fully expect her to go home Friday, praise the Lord.

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers, but keep them coming for everyone in our family, especially those on our family prayer list. God bless us all.

Update on Julie Howell's Surgery

An update on Julie Howell after surgery. I spoke with Julie this morning (8/13) and they have changed her pain medication which gave her some relief last night but still in pain just not as bad.
They will start physical rehab today, which she isn't looking forward to but knows it is best. She can now move her arms without a lot of pain and the doctor says she MAY be able to go home Friday. She says thank you all for all of your thoughts and prayers. When she is healed up and not in pain she plans on attending the next Family Reunion (July 11th, 2009).
Blessings to all (Uncle Lee, you haven't Trade Marked that have you?)
Wayne and Diane

Family Prayer List 8/5/2008

The Ratliff Family Connection Pray List

We have family members and friends that are in need of our prayers. As we go thru our days, attending to our problems please take a minute everyday to say a prayer for our family members that are in need of strength and comfort as they face their fears. All things are possible thru prayer.

Uncle Joe Ratliff and his wife Joan; Joe is facing cancer and his present oncologist says the lab reports show the present chemo treatments have stopped working. Joe has an appointment with a Dr. Richard Goldberg at Chapel Hill Hospital. He's outstanding in the field of Cancer that Joe is facing. Please remember Joe in your prayers and ask the Lord to be with he and Joan as they continue the fight against Joe's cancer.

Ray La Shum, father of Vince La Shum, my son in law and Jennifer’s husband. Ray is suffering from diabetes, to name just one ailment and may have to have part of his foot removed. The surgery was scheduled for yesterday but due to Ray receiving breakfast that morning the surgery has been canceled and needs to be rescheduled. The good news is that Ray is seeking a second opinion. Remember Ray in you prayers.

Julie Howell, my sister, wife to Rocky Howell of Selma Alabama. Julie has severe back problems and faces having 4 vertebrae fused. This will involve her being out for a year while she mends. She and Rocky are facing medical and financial problems so remember them in your prayers and ask the Lord to give them strength and comfort in facing their crises.

Ms. Howell, Rocky’s mother is also in a bad way. Her condition was so unstable that at one time the doctors did not expect her to make it thru the night but she did, and started improving. I have no doubt the prayers requested on her behalf helped. Pray for her recovery.

Scott Griffin and his wife Traci. Scott is one of my co-workers from AT&T has a son (one of 4 children and one of a set of fraternal twins, approx 2 years old) who suffers Duchene's MD. There is a new procedure Scott has researched and forwarded to his doctor in hopes it will help Gabe, his son. Please remember Gabe, Scott and Traci in your prayers as well as their other three children; Turner, Cooper and Addie (Gabe’s twin).

Hazel, my mother in law and Diane’s mother has Alzheimer’s and it is steadily getting worse. Diane and I have watched this disease take its toll almost on a daily basis. Hazel lives with us and we try to take care of her the best we can, but I see the toll it is taking on Diane as well. Please remember Hazel, Diane and myself in your prayers. Ask the Lord to give us strength and understanding as Hazel fights her challenges each day.

I know we all have problems, fears and concerns. Remember to ask the Lord to give us all strength, courage and faith as we face each day and let us all remember the blessing we have and not just the problems. If you know someone in need of prayer please let us all know. The Lord hears all prayers.

August 2nd, 2008

Folks, until I get some other news to post I will continue about myself and my family. If you have something you want to let the family know about send it to me via email (waynecratliff@bellsouth.net) and I will cut and paste for you and display for everyone.

My Anniversary was this past Saturday, August 2nd. Now, depending on how you count it was either our 40th or our 30th, but that is for another day. We were married on August 2nd, 1968 and again on August 2nd 2002 but we both wanted the day to be August 2nd, easier to keep track of. It was a great “date” with my wife and I enjoyed every minute of it. We didn’t stay out till early morning like we used to in our younger years, in fact, the majority of the date involved attending a wedding for the daughter of a friend, going to the reception then going to a Mexican restaurant and enjoying the one man band singing ballads. Once it was discovered that it was our anniversary the guitar player played a slow song and we danced. We sat and talked with out interruptions and just had a good time. I am thankful that we are together and love her very much. Thank you Lord.