My daughter Janda recently sent me this story, and I feel it is very appropriate.

Debra McCoy is in the stands in Graham, Texas, on Friday nights rooting for her husband Coach Brad McCoy and her quarterback son Case. Next day she dons her Texas Longhorn orange to cheer for QB son Colt McCoy, Heisman Trophy candidate. And they have another college age son, Chance.

How does she do it?!

At the Texas Coaches Wives Association's Luncheon in July 2009, Debra brought tears to the eyes of over 200 wives. Most were from laughter, but many were from feeling "we'd been there."

Her message reminded us that our attitude as a coach's wife is a choice, because things aren't always as they are perceived.

To illustrate she told of a rent house their family moved into several years ago. The landlord happened to be on the school board, lived across the street, and specifically said no pets in the house.

However, the landlord raised rabbits for 4-H and said it was fine for the McCoys to keep their dog Skipper in the backyard, just not in the house.

Skipper was used to being in the house at night but roaming the outdoors by day. It was challenging to keep him inside a fence.

One day Debra saw the landlord's family leaving for a trip -- lots of suitcases. She decided to let Skipper out to roam around. Several hours later, Skipper came home with a dead rabbit in his mouth.

Debra panicked and called Brad to come home. Brad went into fix-it mode and said he would take care of it. He took the rabbit to the bathtub, bathed and cleaned it, and even used the blow dryer to fluff its fur. He went across the street and put the rabbit back in the cage.

Debra was a nervous wreck!

Two days later, the landlord's family returned, and Brad saw the children and mother huddled in the backyard with their arms around each other. He went over and leaned on the fence asking if there was a problem.

The mother replied, "I guess you could say we have a problem. Three days ago before we left town, this rabbit died, and we buried it. Now we can't figure out how it got back in the cage!"

Debra reminded us, "Things are not always the way we perceive them! Step back from the fears that grip us. Take a deep breath, and think the best of the situation. We can choose to be positive."

San Marcos awards:

Hawg:Dustin Yoho
MVP Special Teams:
Brandon Abbott
MVP Offense: Edward Hall
MVP Defense: Brandon Abbott
Big Hit: Rush Seaver
Headhunter: Aaron Reyna

Joey McQueen is the Lampasas High School athletic director and the Badgers' head football coach.