I'm not ready for this.

This kid has been waiting for two years to be eight so that he can play tackle football.  He counted down the days to registration and getting his pads.  We tried convincing him that another year of flag would be great, to no avail.  It's in his blood.  Every day he puts on his gear and runs plays around the family room.  Every day he tells me "thank you for signing me up."  Every day I worry about his brains and bones.