THE UNTRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL GAME

Sometimes things are so pleasant

and unexpected
that though they are little things;
they become big;
parlaying the insignificant into the significant.
***
While the girls--
Amy, Brigitte, and Klarissa--
are softly playing with the kitten
at the school playground
Isaak, 9, Karlton, 4, and 71-year-old Grandma
are playing football on the field.
Grandma didn’t know it at the time,
(Karlton set up the game),
she and Karlton were the BYU team.
Isaak being the sole rival Ute player.
Kickoff!
Isaak grabs the ball and runs for a touchdown.
The crowd roars.
Kickoff!
Karlton gets the football and runs mightily.
Isaak tackles him.
”Down!” “Set!”  “Hike!”

“Last down!”
Touchdown!
”Fourteen to 14,” Karlton announces over the loud speaker.
”Twelve to 12--no extra points,” Grandma corrects,
”unless the rules have changed in 50 years.”
Hmmm.  How can we kick for extra points?
Even though it’s a little off our arbitrary field,
resourcefully we use soccer goalie posts.
Karlton is kicking for the extra point.
Fat chance.
It goes a few feet off the ground and rolls not far from him.
 

The excitement mounts, touchdown after touchdown.
Being the only person on the Ute team and extremely fast,
Isaak’s touchdowns are flawless.
Karlton and Grandma have more fun
”Shotgun!” “Set!” “Hike!”
several times until Karlton makes it over the line.

Touchdown!
Yea!  The crowd goes wild.
25 to 26.
”It’s Karlton’s turn to kick for the extra point.”
”Just let Grandma try to see if she can do it.”
Over the post!
”But it doesn’t count, Grandma, it’s Karlton’s turn.”

Rules.
”Stand right in the middle and kick straight up, Karlton.”
Fat chance.
He’s only 4 years old.
OH MY GOSH
STRAIGHT UP AND OVER THE GOALPOST

RIGHT IN THE CENTER!
Awe.
Wonder.
Deafening CHEERS.
Game Over.
TIE!!!!
26 ALL!!!!!
***

Sometimes things are so unexpected
that though they are little things;
they become big;
parlaying the insignificant into the significant
and at times into
the magnificent!

Jeanette E. Hugh 11/23/07