Mailbag: Grateful for help after fire

High school contact sports bring this intensity to a whole new level. Three player concussions in one game is not my idea of an entertaining evening. Watching my freshman carry the ball and get engulfed in a sea of JV players does not have the same magic it does when I watch the pros. All I can think of is those grown men have mothers who wince and squeeze the arms of their friends and say a prayer every time they get the ball too.

Now I'll admit that I'm squeamish and send most injuries my husband's way for calm analysis and repair. I mean, who prepares a parent for the broken arms, concussions, hurt ribs, cleat holes and general wear and tear of the teenage boy's body? Actually, there is no way to prepare anyone for the teenager at large, but I don't recall reading about these kinds of injuries in my "What To Expect The First Year" bible during my boy's early months. Back then I just needed to have the boo-boo ice pack for owies.

This is a whole new ball game, some pun intended.

"My knuckles are bleeding, my arms are all bruised and I LOVE FOOTBALL!" my 14-year-old announces as he gets in the car after practice.

I love you son and will support you and your games, take a ton of pictures and cheer the loudest. I will congratulate the coaching staff who have taken a mix of early teenage boys and given them drive and purpose and committed camaraderie. I will cherish the moments to share in my son's victories and defeats. I will hold my breath and hold him up high.

Lisa Hughes Anderson

Laguna Beach

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Patrascu candidacy struck a chord

You know something's wrong with city government and the Laguna Beach City Council when almost 3,000 citizens vote for an unknown city council candidate, Mr. [Emanuel] Patrascu. I drove to Pasadena yesterday and saw only three highway patrol and police cars during the whole trip until I got on Laguna Canyon Road, and by the time I got back, I saw four Laguna cop cars and meter police everywhere.