Guilt

With a two-week old, I find myself thinking about what my son will grow up to be.

I'd like to think I'm fairly open-minded, and that I'll support all of the important life decisions he makes....what college to attend, what occupation to pursue, who to choose as a mate.....all of that will be up to him. I'll gladly offer advice when requested (and sometimes when it's not requested).

There is one non-negotiable item.

My son will be a fan of Cleveland sports. His adorable diapered ass will be firmly planted on the seat of the Cleveland sports train.

My job, as his father and Cleveland sports mentor, will be to teach him about the history -- the highs, the lows, the lower lows and the lowest lows -- of the world of sports. Here are the cliffnotes:

highs: 1948 Indians, Browns up until Jim Brown retired, Miracle of Richfield, Wilkens-era Cavs, Steroid-era Tribe, Cleveland Crunch, LeBron-era Cavs, Joe Tait, Tom Hamilton, Nev Chandler, Casey Coleman, Jim Donovan
lows: Red Right 88, Don Rogers, The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, Braves pitchers, Marlins, Spurs, Red Sox, Magic...
lower lows: Expansion era Browns
lowest lows: Baltimore Ravens

I feel a bit guilty forcing my son to support Cleveland teams. I don't want to cause a Kinsella-esque schism. But I feel that by being a Cleveland supporter, there are many important life lessons to be learned. Among these lessons:

• how to lose honorably (See: 1964-2010)
  
• how to deal with disappointment (See: Cavs - 2009)
  
• how to see the glass half-full...especially while throwing said glass onto the field to express anger
• how to deal with "loss" of a hero (See: Thome, J - 2002)
• how to irrationally hate (See: Mesa, J)
• how to rationally hate (See: Yankees; Steelers)
• how to rationally hope (See: James, L)
• how to irrationally hope (See: 1964-2010)
  
• how to ridicule (See: Roethlisberger, B)
• how to celebrate (See: tumbleweed rolling)

I feel a little guilty....not letting him choose. I suppose that somewhere, down the road, he could give up Cleveland sports. I mean, with all the losing and disappointment, who could blame him? But, I'd like to think he'll understand commitment, heart, and unconditional love.

They say it's always darkest before dawn....hopefully, for my son's sake, the rooster crows very soon.