A March Break that Changed my life

I was in Grade 9 at Runnymede Collegiate and had just finished the first semester leading to the March break. A year earlier, my friends and I had attended a leadership camp designed to prepare students to work with the City of Toronto Parks and Rec. A few of my friends that had attended this camp, received phone calls regarding summer employment. As I sat at the kitchen table asking my mom why I wasn't called, I began to question my worthiness as I always had. I once again linked my friends success to the fact that they were taller than me and looked more like grade nine students. It didn't help that just less than 6 months earlier I was victimized through bullying actions on my high school team because of my 4' stature.

My mom, God rest her soul, did everything she could to make me feel as though things weren't as bad as they seemed. My concern was that it was going to be one of those boring summers. Hanging out at the park and perhaps causing trouble while mooching money off my parents.

In the midst of her cleaning the house I remember her asking me what I wanted to do. I decided at that point that what I had always dreamed about was to be the ball boy on the Argo sidelines that got to catch for Condredge Holloway or give a towel to Terry Greer. When I spoke of this my mom said that it wouldn't hurt to call. So after some convincing I opened up the Yellow Pages. Right under the sports area were the Toronto Argonauts Football Club-(416) 595-9600. I decided to call and make an inquiry.

My hands were shaking., my voice crackling but I would muster all the esteem I could to show that I wanted this bad.
"Good Afternoon, Toronto Argonauts Football Club",

"Hello, I am calling to see if there would be any way that I could apply for a job on the sidelines with the Toronto Argonauts". The lady on the other end replied immediately as though this were a regular ask.

"Sure let me put you through to Jeff Howe our Equipment Manager".

I looked at my Mom who paused her cleaning to give me an approving nod.

"Jeff Howe, Equipment room."

"Hi Jeff, my name is Jason Colero and I am calling because I am interested in getting a job as a ball boy with you guys."

"Well, Jason we don't know who is coming back next season so its hard to tell whats available." "If you were to call back in a little while I'll know better." "How old are you?"

"I'm 14 and in grade nine."

"OK. Give us a call in a little while and we'll see what goes on."

"Thanks for your time Mr. Howe and congrats on a great season. I listened to the East Final on the radio."

"Well we'll be back at er next year." "Have a good one Jason."

"You too and talk to you soon."

After hanging up, I jumped out of the chair and said to my mom,"He said to call back. He said to call back." That March break turned out to be one of the best of my life, because as the story goes, I got the call back and the rest is history.

Thanks mom. That little nod of encouragement was life changing.