In floppy shoes and flapping pads,
Young lad, I know you well.
You dream of starring on the screen
In Sunday's NFL.
You now can climb the highest peak
Or leap the deepest chasm,
For you possess a wondrous trait;
You have enthusiasm.
While you believe you can achieve,
There's really nothing to it.
Watch out for doubt. When it pops out,
It's harder then to do it.
Tee up the ball, begin the game
And play with all your heart.
But here, as in the game of life,
There's more than just the start.
When you're knocked down, jump up again
And play right through the pain.
The journey will be all uphill,
So smile and don't complain.
And you might make it to the top,
But if you don't you'll find.
The knowledge that you really tried,
Will live on in your mind.
—Grandpa Tucker
Copyright ©1998 by Bob Tucker