Adjust and Proceed

As stated previously, The Bean is a manager on his high school football team. His duties include keeping the players adequately hydrated, being a general gopher (go-fer this, go-fer that) and laundry.

But laundry duties come with the “dad” package. Laundry.  How in the world did I get into a situation where I spend three to four hours a week cleaning 75 grass-stained, sweat-soaked, stink-to-high-heaven football uniforms? Well, the head coach asked and I readily answered “Yes.” After every game and through the next morning, The Bean and I collect, sort, treat, and wash some of the most sweaty, stinky and generally nasty clothes imaginable. We’ve gotten pretty darn good at it, too.

La Pistolita, my significant other, had a hard time wrapping her head around the fact I was spending my precious Saturday laundering football uniforms. My family and friends thought the same. “You have no time as it is, how are you going to spend three hours laundering football uniforms?” That is a fair point, but regardless, time is made for two reasons.

The Bean is learning how to work and how to do tasks upon which others rely. It is a great teaching tool – teamwork, efficiency and taking pride on one’s work. Most importantly, it gives The Bean a sense of accomplishment. It’s pretty cool seeing those jerseys and pants neatly folded and stacked, morphed from a pile of stink.

Secondly, it gives the coaches a few extra hours each week. These guys devote a lot of time to the school and the football team. If they’re not coaching, they’re grading papers, (they’re teachers too), fixing equipment, working on the field, studying film or taking graduate courses. They need a break. They deserve a break.

The way I see this situation, it is a win/win/win for all. The Bean is learning to take responsibility and pride in his work. The coaches have a little extra time and I get to watch it all happen.  As for La Pistolita, she’s come around. My family still thinks I’m crazy.