Making My Way

George Michael Zaleuke Jr. 

#3 Has Always Been A Huge Part Of Our Life  

Military Man.  A Warrior.  My Hero  

My son Mike messaged me this morning early.  Mike stated that he was really enjoying reading my current blog, and he could feel my emotions as I was writing about them yesterday.  These few words meant the world to me, for I really write all my blogs for my children and my grandchildren.  I want each of them to have a written journal about my life as I experience it, and my memories as I remember them.  I would give anything if my dad took the time to put his thoughts in a written form. People say that I am a decent story teller, so I try and put in a little emotion and write a descriptive essay each time I hit the keyboard.  My original blog (www.coach-george.blogspot.com) was written while Mike was deployed in Afghanistan.  I wanted him to feel life at home while he was away.  It makes me feel good knowing my efforts are not going to waste.  I am thrilled Mike likes reading my stuff.  

I raised my son mostly alone since he was about nine years old.  I know I made some bad decisions, but now we can laugh about it.  (Just today he reminded me about our trips to Mexico with maybe not-so-pure reasons for being down there.  I mean, what father does that?  I just shake my head now.) I figured I had ruined Mike for any type of life-lesson I may have tried to teach him.  Sometimes he resented me for for pushing him I am sure... probably promising himself he would NEVER be like his dad.  On the contrary, we are both asking if we are indeed the same person now days.  When Mike was in basic training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, he wrote me a letter which remains the highlight of my life.  I won't quote the personal letter, but basically it said that all the life lessons I taught him on and off the football field were things he was using everyday in the Army.   I had been paid in full for the rest of my life.  I am very proud of my son.  He is my HERO.  Takes some GUTS to do what he does.  

Teddy Floyd Working D Line  

This morning, I was laying in bed wide awake at 5am.  My mind and my heart were going a hundred miles per hour worried about anything and everything.  "Am I ready for practice today?"  "What am I wearing for practice, are my clothes clean?"  "Where did I put my whistle?"  "Did I leave my coaching bag in my truck again?"  "Did it rain last night?"  I will glad when I get settled in and I am comfortable in my surroundings .  My Mom used to call me a worry wart...whatever that means.  

I had a pretty good practice today.  I am starting to pick up Coach Lenny's offense, but it is a challenge for me.  This offense is completely different than what we ran at Sebastian River High School (SRHS) ..and we practice differently too.  Everything is fast-paced...and everything has a purpose.  I am really enjoying it so far.  I am thankful that the guys are giving me plenty of lead way to learn, and they allow me to coach when I can add something.  I really like our group.  I love to bark at Coach Bethel every now and then.....it makes me feel at home.  This barking is part of what we have always done ... just insult the crap out of each other really. I really love this dude.  He is so good to me, and I remain loyal to his cause.  

Coach Kris missed some of yesterday's practice. Brian is a long-time coaching associate who serves as the defensive coordinator on our staff.  I thought: "how in the hell can Kris miss practice during game week?"  Then I found out why.  KIDNEY STONES.... a bad one hit him yesterday.  Then, I COMPLETELY understood how he could miss a practice.  Most of you know I suffer from stones myself...and the pain is excruciating to say the least.  I am surprised he even made it to the field at all.  Eventually, he made it to the hospital to be diagnosed.   Today Kris shows up at practice and we exchanged war stories.  Brian is sore (which is normal) but he is feeling much better.  I shared my lemon juice and olive oil concoction for the next time it happens.  I really felt bad for doubting him....for a minute.  LOL.  

More Tomorrow.