By By Adam Prestridge
Everyone who has children knows that sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
So if that means taking your son or daughter with you to work, then that’s what you’ve got to do. I’ve done it numerous times and have always enjoyed it.
Last Thursday was one of those days when I had to have my 2-year-old son, Ethan, accompany me to Escambia County High School’s jamboree football game against W.S. Neal High School in Brewton. Of course, it was not a big deal because Ethan loves “ball” and has attended numerous games with my wife, Jennifer, and me and also a few times while I was covering a game. He always stays at my side with his tiny hand in my pocket asking me question after question.
It is a good way to have the best of both worlds. I love covering football games, but most of all, I love spending time with my son.
So off we went to Brewton after a quick stop at Jalisco’s or “misco’s” as Ethan calls it, his favorite restaurant. He’s a sucker for the chips and cheese quesadillas. All the way to Brewton he kept asking, “I want to see ball daddy,” and I kept assuring him that we were on our way. He’s more accustom to home games and can point out local stadiums with pinpoint accuracy.
Upon arrival, I strapped on the camera backpack and Ethan’s diaper bag backpack and made my way into the stadium with sippy cup in hand. I don’t know if it was because it was the first game of the season or what, but from the get-go Ethan seemed a bit overwhelmed. We entered the field and he immediately began clinging to me in fear. To be honest it shocked me because he has never been afraid at a game before, but I believe the band playing the fight song behind us may have startled him.
While I was holding him in my arms with my camera around my neck, first-year ECHS principal Harvey Means came over and began speaking with me. I explained that my wife was in a class and told him “sometimes you have to do what you have to do.” He agreed.
When Mr. Means began to leave, Ethan reached out for him and said, “I want to go with you.” Mr. Means, with a smile on his face, offered to let him sit in the stands with him and off they went. They sat in the stands for more than an hour chatting and even made a stop at the concession stand.
At the end of the half of play, Ethan gave Mr. Means a “low five,” a big hug and simply said, “Thank you.” I mirror his sentiments.
People like Mr. Means, those who are willing to help, are who make small towns what they are.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.