Friday night lights – a pretty cool thing being enjoyed in so many communities across Maine and the rest of the USA.
A couple of Fridays ago, I was at Kennebunk High School’s football season opener vs. Westbrook. We walk in there before the game and immediately start running into so many friends. Then players run onto the field and everyone is cheering and the younger kids are pretty excited seeing the guys they look up to. But, what really hit me was when they played the national anthem, the middle school football players were practicing on a field off in the distance. As the anthem started to play, I was struck by all of these younger players stopping, taking off their helmets, and standing at attention with hands on their hearts. It was a beautiful fall night and, as far as I’m concerned, the moment couldn’t have been better.
I know everyone doesn’t get to enjoy this simple ritual, but it made me think what a great country we live in. At the same time, it’s sad to think there are people who just don’t seem to understand how fortunate they are to live here and they don’t hesitate to complain. It’s a shame they just can’t enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Take a second, look around, and appreciate the little things around us.
John Hackett
Kennebunk
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