By Leslie N. Dees
CNHI
KOSCIUSKO —
“Things happen for a reason.”
When Coach Jim Wood said that to the crowd at the Ethel High School Athletic Banquet May 15, I realized that “Yes, it certainly does.”
In 1979, a seventh grader was excited to be on the campus of EHS because he was going to get to play football.
His parents agreed he could go out as long as he didn’t complain when he got banged up and off he went. What he didn’t realize was there was a lot of running to be done at football practice and after a few days he wanted to quit.
The teen along with a buddy told their coach that they wanted to quit the team. While the coach let his friend leave, he told the youngster – “Stick with me. You’ll get through this.” And, he did and he also fell in love with the game of football.
He continued to play football under the coach for two years before moving to the high school team and his junior high football coach continued to be a part of his life long after he graduated from EHS in 1985.
The late Ira Jones, known more for coaching basketball, was my husband, Paul’s junior high football coach.
And he loves and thanks Coach Jones to this day for his 20-plus career in coaching and teaching field.
“Things happen for a reason.”
In June 2007, Paul got to come “home” with me and a million packed boxes and our pets. He was the newly hired head football coach of the Ethel Tigers.
And it’s all because, Coach Jones told a seventh grade football player – “Stick with me. You‘ll get through this.”
A simple action can impact a life in ways far more than anyone can ever imagine.
Again – “Things happen for a reason.”
On Friday night, 30-plus seniors at Ethel High School will graduate and have the chance to impact lives.
Whether it’s entering the college classroom, the workforce or the military, remember that the decisions you make affect others.
On this eve, eve of graduation remember:
– Graduation is not the end but a beginning of a new phase in your life.
– Remember where you came from and where you are going.
– Believe in yourself and all the potential you possess.
– Surround yourself with goodness.
– Set goals and keep them.
– For every action, there is a reaction.
And, of course, everything happens for a reason.
Leslie N. Dees is the managing editor of The Star Herald. Email her at editor@starherald.net or follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/lndees
