"Why aren't you playing?"

Last Friday, as usual my sons were getting ready for our weekly football game. Noticing I was not in my usual frenzy of excitement, LiL asked "Are you not playing football today?"

I replied, "I am going but I will not be playing."

Sensing that I was despondent, she wanted to know what was the reason for me not playing despite a tournament coming in a week's time.

"Why.....?" She was showing some concern, especially she knew how much I love being involved in such event.

I paused for a bit.

"Well.....I disqualify myself from the team. You see, non of my friends will ever tell me I am too old to be playing for the team. They are too polite for that. And I don't want them to bring an ambulance to the field just in case something happens to me!" I said..

She looked at me and replied with deliberately chosen words, "Well, wisdom prevails - and I am happy for you!" She extended her arm and rubbed my shoulder. "You will be forever young in my team!" She said softly. At that moment, I felt like I had a new spring in my knees and imagined myself scoring goals like Ronaldo and Lampard again. But alas, sore joints are harder to heal compared to a dented feeling of a sore loser!

Knowing how much I love to be involved, one of the team cordinators asked me to manage the under twelve team! That too, I have declined.

Being involved I will - and with full enthusiasm too - but from now on, it will be from the side-line, as a spectator!

My short answer to my wife is, "I will not be playing - I'd rather see Luqman taking my place!"