Day 210

Under the counter, in a cabinet full of bowls and colanders, lies a piece of equipment that has been an integral part of our family for many years.

Our red Coleman water jug.

Some have family china with their initials monogrammed on it, or cute salt and pepper shakers that have been around for as long as everyone can remember. We have these things at our house too (my favorite being a ceramic cow that my grandma used to let us pour our milk from), but the water cooler is a staple that signifies our family well.

That thing is on it's third kid. It's seen baseball, softball, soccer, and football fields. It's had our last name re-written with black Sharpie on the lid multiple times as it fades. It's been used as a sitting stool, rolled around in the back of a trunk, and generally abused for over 10 years.

This week the 11-year old started back to football practice 5 nights per week. So this morning I hauled out all the stuff that goes along with this fall sport- cleats, cup, mouthpiece, chin strap, practice pants, helmet, jerseys, first-aid kit, bug spray, blankets, chairs, etc. My once-empty trunk is now brimming with testosterone...

And last, but not least, I pulled out the faithful red water jug and filled it with ice water. Then I watched the 11-year old carry it to the field where his team is the oldest group of kids out there. Soon enough, I won't have a reason to pull out that water jug anymore. And to be honest, it will have as much sentimental ties to it as the ceramic cow.

Today's pic represents the beginning of another sport season, and how something as simple as a water cooler can be such an important part of a family.