Dear Dalton,

Have I mentioned how much you totally rock?



This was your second year of middle school football ... the first year where your team actually played games against other schools.



You're not the tallest boy on the team, obviously. You're also not the heaviest.

You might, however, be the one who is enjoying himself most.



You are always -- ALWAYS -- excited for practice, and games, and give it 150 percent. Even the coaches say you are an ideal player .... Twelve years old, and 72 pounds of pure heart.



Never giving up, never quitting, never complaining. Which is good, considering it was sort of a rough season for you boys. But I admired your attitude and perseverance.



I also admired how you were always willing to do whatever the coaches asked you to do .... whether that was play defense, trying to take down boys much larger than you (thank goodness you're so speedy!) or play offense, hoping for that touchdown pass to come your way ....



Mainly, I admired that after last night's game ... the last of the season ... even though your team got creamed, you came off the field and said simply, "That was fun; I just love playing." The size of your attitude is what matters, dude, and yours is without a doubt big enough that it will take you places.

You rock, little man, and Aunt Kristie loves you for it.



PS. You look awfully cute in your uniform, too, but I would never embarrass you by saying that out loud.