The "We Lost.....but yet, We Won" Story

It was an ordinary day. We just lost the game. The big one. The game against our biggest rival. But, in the long run we really won! Here's how this goes. Carol and I picked up our son Derek, daughter-in-law Barbara, and grandson Caden and headed to Urbana, Maryland where our daughter Brynn, son-in-law Dave, and grand daughters Courtney and Camille live. We went to the big football game tonight against Damascus. Dave is the head coach at Quince Orchard High School in Montgomery County, Maryland and Damascus has been one of his biggest rivals for years. One of Dave's best friends coaches Damascus which makes for even more competition. But, tonight is extra special, since the two teams have been raising money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation all week in what has been called "The Battle For A Cure." The two rival teams are using their rivalry for a good cause. Our grand daughter Courtney has Juvenile Diabetes (Type 1 diabetes) and we are hoping that someday, with the help of science and scientists, and money raised through this foundation, her disease will be cured. They sold t-shirts with the helmets of the two teams on the front along with the date of the game and on the back was the wording "two rivals fighting to find a cure for Diabetes." Quite a few people in the stadium had these shirts on tonight. And the place was packed. The game was played at Quince Orchard and people lined the field. Standing room only! Before the game, Courtney was escorted by Pop, her other grandfather and one of her dad's assistants to the center of the field where she got to participate in the coin toss. Wasn't sure she could do it, but the head official of the game told her he would help her toss the coin into the air. She got to meet the captains of the teams and toss the coin into the air. Damascus won the toss and the game began. One of the most exciting high school games I have ever attended. Quince Orchard lost the game 27-23 after the pass for a touchdown on the final play of the game went incomplete. After the game, we all went onto the field to talk with Dave. His team may have lost the game, but he realized that his daughter will someday benefit from the over $2000 that was collected to help in the "Battle for the Cure." It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Pixs of Courtney and the game from the top: Courtney and her mom wearing their "Battle for a Cure" shirts, Courtney waiting for the game to begin, Courtney with her sister Camille and mom and dad sharing a moment before the game, the Quince Orchard "THE RED" cheering section, the coin toss before the game at mid-field, and friday night lites at the Quince Orchard vs. Damascus football game.