Recruiting Update

Our "baby", Cameron, is not only a fine young man but an extra-dandy football player. (see prior blogs of mine and also agirlwhosjustpassingthrough.blogspot.com for recaps from his season) Anywho, this is his senior year and because of his abilities he has been blessed to be on the radar for several college football programs. Now, for those of you who are either currently paying college tuition, or who are still looking forward to that delightful experience, you can surely understand why we consider this a blessing. Free is free, after all, and we have never been ones to turn down a freebie! However, I have to tell you that this "freebie" is actually taking a lot of effort (and cash!) on our part. Beginning this past February when we made our first visit as an invited prospect to Notre Dame, to this week when we have no less than 3 coaches coming to our home, this recruiting trip has been a trip. We will fly to Annapolis this Friday so that Cameron can have his official visit at Navy. The following weekend will be an official visit at Furman, and he is still trying to figure out where Arkansas State, Air Force, and UTC fit in the mix. And who knows if another college might come out of left field within the next couple of weeks. From what I can tell, this is when word really gets out about the recruits and some of the colleges have had decomittments which means they are now scrambling to fill those spots. Like I said, this is a trip! Signing Day is February 4th, so until that date we will be traveling around, letting Cameron see everything he can possibly see so that when he makes his final choice it will be the absolute perfect fit for him.

The whole recruiting process is a maze for the recruits and their parents, let me share. There are specific dates when the coaches are allowed to call, allowed to visit, and then of course there is dead period and quiet period and somewhere in there should be a built-in rest period for the mamas and daddys! We are smack in the middle of what has been described as the busiest week in the recruiting calendar, because the coaches are coming off a quiet period and are hitting the trail like bloodhounds. And of course being the hospitable Southern gal that I am, I told Cameron to invite them to dinner. At least one is coming for food, and who knows about the others. My intent is to have the coaches see what type of home Cameron is coming from, so that they will know just how many people will be missing him and cheering for him when he is out on their field representing their university. They may never know just what a fine person he is inside, but I hope that they get at least a glimpse of the person and not just the football player. Because as good as he is on the field, he is even better on the inside - that boy has a heart as big as Texas and it is pure gold! (can you tell I'm proud??)

So, while this has been a blessing and one that will provide Cameron with a wonderful future, I have to say that it is a mixed blessing. Because there is a great probability that his talent will take him far from home - something his mama can't think about without a bucket or two of tears. And for anyone out there who wears contact lenses and cries ALOT, you know like I do that it really goobers up your lenses! Not to mention that I tend to look like a possum these days with my constantly red eyes!

I will keep you posted on where Cameron decides to matriculate (gotcha with that one, didn't I?) for the next 4 years. In the meantime, blog-readers, please say a little prayer that he will make the right decision for him and that his mom will be able to let her little birdie fly out of the nest without too many waterworks.

Hugs,
L