Would it snow? Be icy? Freezing cold? A traveling nightmare?

Those thoughts ran through my brain as I bought six tickets to a Patriots-Philadelphia Eagles game two months away on December 6.  We didn’t know what to expect.  All I knew is that we’d have a lot of fun.

Boy were we surprised when game week unfolded with mild weather and temps in the 50’s.  December ended up being the warmest in recorded weather history in New England, so we got lucky.

I had asked you – do you want to go to a restaurant at Patriot’s Place or tailgate like we did last year?

Tailgate! was the unanimous supply.  So we got to our favorite parking lot early (fourth car in), set up our stuff including the important “Warm Greeting to All” Pineapple.  Here we are enjoying ourselves for the four hours pre-game:

We played football in the parking lot, enjoyed the sunshine and relaxed. After getting our fill of burgers, hot dogs, chips, salsa, doritos, Moody Beach drinks, devil dogs and who knows what else, we picked up, packed up and proceeded to make our way to the stadium.

This year we got there early enough to beat the rush and throngs going through security.  Once through the gates, I brought you to the Patriots gift shop and let each of you pick two things.  You were already wearing the funny foam hats you picked out in 2014.  We were lucky to see Bob Kraft and Brady make their way out before they hit the field. Very cool.

The last two times I brought you, our tickets were on the sidelines, about even with the 30 yard line.  This year, we had end zone tickets, facing the Lighthouse.  We were underneath one of the two big jumbo trons.  Emma said “I love these seats!” as we settled in and watched the Pats burst onto the field. Always a big thrill.

At this point in the season, the Pats were 10-1 on the season, having lost their first game the week before vs. Denver.  I’d say most people were figuring the Pats would come back strong and handle the Eagles fairly easily.  That’s how it played out early, with the Pats taking a 14-0 lead. But things started falling apart and Philadelphia scored five straight touchdowns. New England came back, taking advantage of an onside kick and a fumble to have a chance to tie the game in the final minute. But then their receivers dropped three passes in a row to turn the ball over on downs.

It was the first game you’ve seen (in person) where the Pats didn’t win.  Oh well.  Despite the loss, there were several records set:  It was the 71st 300-yard game for Brady, third-most all time. With his 30th touchdown pass of the season, Brady has six seasons with 30 or more, joining Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees. And Brady became the #3 all time TD passer in NFL history.

After years of playing soccer on teams that played hard but unfortunately never had a winning record (exception: your winter league foosball team where you won it all), this year was a milestone and a marvelous thing to behold.

Your U-12 team had an excellent season, going undefeated all the way except for the semi-final single elimination game where you lost by one goal to a tough team away in Pembrook, NH.  It could have gone either way and was a battle to the finish. A great game to watch.

I’ve enjoyed this season more than any other because the quality of play was at such a high level.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always enjoyed going to every game to see you, Emma, Molly, Jack, Camden and Ainsley play.  Every game is so much fun.  Grammy and I go to as many as we possibly can… and that’s a lot.  We never get enough!

But this year it was different.  You’re in seventh grade and we’re no longer watching little kids trying to learn the game… we’re watching young men who know what they’re doing and try really hard on every single play.  There’s a seriousness and an athleticism to the game now, a stress level that was never there before.  I’m sure you feel it, as do your teammates, because I feel it too just standing on the sidelines.  Yet despite the added challenges, you stepped up again this year and showed a level of interest, concern, dedication and hard work I’ve never seen before.

I respect and admire what you’ve done and want you to know that. I always tell you that after a game, but words are fleeting.  That’s why I like writing these blogs…. I can leave something behind for you to think about, laugh about, remember, learn from.

Reason # 1 why I’m proud of you  – You’re our first grandchild and because of that you blaze new trails on everything… the first to walk, the first to start school, the first to play a sport, the first to go to Middle School.  And the first to go through the challenges of being an adolescent, a pre-teen (only five months until you’re a teenager – what??!!) with the emotional challenges that come from growing older.  It’s not an easy time but your smarts and hard work and sense of humor will get you there and get you to the top.  Trust me. You’ve got everything it takes to be a winner all the days of your life.  So believe in yourself no matter what hurdles you face… and never let the turkeys get you down.

Reason # 2 – When I look back at what I was doing at your age, I never had the confidence to play sports – and my parents never wanted me to play (one contributed to the other I’m sure).  I would have been scared to death doing what you can do.  Stepping onto that field.  Being under stress in a game situation with an opponent bearing down and it’s up to YOU to make something good happen for your team.  People looking at you, being under pressure, needing to deliver. But you consistently rise to the occasion and make it happen. And you keep getting better.  I’m so proud of you.

In previous blogs I’ve talked about your defensive abilities on the field… that was never more evident than this year.  You may not get the attention and praise some of the guys get, but you know what, that’s the way it is throughout life.  Some get the limelight and others don’t… even though they should.  Read about Julian Edelman sometime or Tom Brady.  Most people didn’t believe in them… so that made them work even harder and overcome and prove to themselves what they were really made of. And it wasn’t just Edelman and Brady… It happened to me too, in different ways, at different times.

That’s why I was so happy when your Dad told me this season that one of your assistant coaches praised you in front of your coach and your teammates saying how well you understood and played the game and made a difference.  Boom-shaka-laka, that’s what I’m talking about.  You’re the best defensive player on the field – you understand the game and know how to use your smarts and your body to keep opponents from gaining an advantage.

So here’s to a great season, a winning season for Ben Clickman, a boy, a young man, I’m in awe of and so proud to call my grandson.

Hooray, we finally did it!

Grammy and I moved out of “the big house” on Waterloo Circle in June 2014, then lived at the beach for 14 months which included one of the worst winters in New England history.  Our new house is great… a lot smaller and more manageable; nice & comfy.  It’s only two steps from the garage inside the house vs. 13 at Waterloo (so easy) with everything we need on one floor.  It’s a handy location, on the south side of Dover, close to Portsmouth and Route 95.  Lots of new memories of you, our super-dooper-trooper grandchildren, will happen at 30 Shore Lane!

a lot of hard work, practices, games, and help from your Dad have made you a strong soccer player. you understand the subtleties of the game, think big picture and are a great team player, doing anything to help out.  although you’ve become a defensive “expert” over the years, you’re also strong on offense with your “big left foot.”  You’re often the go-to-guy for throw-ins and long boots down the field.  Proud of you Ben!  Having never played sports in school like you do, I am in awe of all you’ve achieved.  While there are always people who are better than us, that really doesn’t matter.   Don’t fall into the trap of measuring yourself against other people… it’s what YOU do with your life that counts.  Discover what makes you happy, what you’re good at, what gets you excited… and focus on that.