Coaches Wives Corner: Lisa Howard

Coaches wives are very dear to my heart. They are special people who work very hard along side their husbands. I interviewed many coaches' wives last year, and one interview was with Lisa Howard. As most of you know, Lisa lost her husband and her best friend Lincoln head coach Keith Howard. Together this husband and wife made a wonderful pair and influenced so many peoples lives.

Lisa Howard was a coach's wife for more than 20 years. She brings to the table much wisdom, laughter and advice for coaches wives. We wanted to share with you the interview from last year. She is true blue and such a special blessing. Our prayers are offered to the Howard family during this time.

Lisa Howard interview during 2008 season:

Name: Lisa Howard
Husband's name: Keith Howard
Children's names: "Linzy & Matthew. Tiffany-Ann is my daughter-in-law and Charli-Ann is my granddaughter."
Hometown: Anniston
High School: Lincoln High School

Did you play sports in high school: "I was a cheerleader."

What is your fondest memory of being a coach's wife?
"I love watching the players grow up and become adults. Just watching them grow throughout the years is so special, then seeing them come back years down the road is special as well. That has to be the most special of all. Watching the kids grow up."

What game most stands out in your mind and why?
"When Lincoln played in the state championship. That was my son's junior year. That was my husband's first time ever in a state championship game. Even though we lost, it was the best game ever."

Do you get nervous on Friday nights before the games?
"Absolutely. Without a doubt. "

What special things do you do for your husband to help encourage him through the week before Friday night?
"The main encouragement for him is just knowing that everything is taken care of. He doesn't have to worry about anything. I try to keep everything taken care of so that he won't have to worry. I want him to feel comfortable and never worry that I am mad or upset.

"If he knows everything is taken care of at home, he can do his job better. And that is what I try to take care of. I don't won't him to worry that we are not taken care of."

In your own words, what is your definition of a coach's wife?
"You have to be supportive toward your husband and his career so that he can change other peoples lives. You have to sacrifice for something bigger."

In what ways has your husband inspired your life?
"My husband inspires me with his sacrifice of himself, and the humbleness that he has that is so hard to find these days."

What is your advice to young coaches' wives just starting out?
"It will be dark before it's light, meaning, there will be times when you may feel alone and there may be times when you may feel left out. But through prayer and a willingness to stand by your husband, you will make it through. If you stand by his side and become part of the program, it will become clearer how important that life is."

What is your recipe for a happy marriage?
"God first. Without that, it will not work."

How do you balance kids and football?
"Precariously. It is always on the edge. I fly around by the seat of my britches. But I love having something to balance. I love having all of these things together. That is what makes us who we are."

Lisa's Growing Up Years:
"My childhood was truly “storybook” perfect. My dad and mom (Denny & Shirley Broadwell) are the perfect parents. They have been married almost 51 years. I have a sister (Sheila Allen) and a brother (Barry Broadwell).

"We grew up in the Anniston and Weaver areas. My mom didn’t work until we were all three in school. Even after we started school, she was there in the afternoons to pick us up. I grew up in a neighborhood where all the kids played after school each day until Mother called us in for supper."

"We didn’t have a lot of money, so when we all walked to the store we walked in the ditches and picked up coke bottles. When we got to the store, we turned in the bottles for the “return” money, split it up between us and bought our “penny” candy."

"My parents sacrificed for us in ways that I still don’t know about. As an adult, I have realized some of those sacrifices, but I will probably not ever know the full extent. We never wanted for anything we needed, but extras were “special" not expected."

"We didn’t eat out very much, so it was very special when we did. My mother cooked every day, and we all sat down at the table and ate together every night."

"They had us in church whenever the doors were opened. When we moved to Lincoln, one of the first things we did was find a church. God has always been a huge part of our family."

"I thank God everyday for my parents. If I could pick any parents in the world, those two would be it. Their love and devotion to each other and us has never wavered. They have always made sure we knew we were loved and openly showed their love to us and each other."

"How I was raised and grew up has definitely had an impact on who I am today. And, that upbringing did prepare me for being a coaches wife (if that is possible!)."

"They taught us to live within your means. That having “stuff” is not very important…friends and family are far more valuable. We grew up during a time when it wasn’t odd that each of us didn’t have our own room or our own car when we turned 16."

"My sister and I shared a room until she married and moved out. There were three of us, but only one car (not new…a clunker as we called it). Daddy knew we would all fit in one car (and there was plenty of room to not “touch each other”) My first car came with my first full-time job."

"My parents have always taught us to be truthful, honest, trustworthy and hardworking. They taught us to look at other people through the eyes of Jesus. To grow every day…you should NEVER stop growing. They taught this AND they lived this."

"All of these traits have helped me be a person who can give, see others for what they need-not what I can get out of them, and be willing to sacrifice when I want to be selfish -- not a bad sacrifice, but a good one that is truly fulfilling, uplifting and life changing."

"I try to live every day as if it is my last…and tomorrow I will stand before God. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, two incredible children and now a beautiful daughter-in-law (Tiffany-Ann) and granddaughter (Charli-Ann)."

"I am never surprised to see God working in our lives, but it still amazes me."

Lisa Howard's favorite recipe:
Apple Dumplings (makes 8 dumplings)
1 Granny Smith apple
1 can Crescent rolls
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Peel and core apple. Cut apple into 8 equal pieces. Roll each apple piece in a crescent roll. Place in 13x9 glass baking dish—spaced evenly in dish so that crescent roll can expand while baking.

Mix butter, sugar and water together in saucepan. Heat to boiling. Pour over crescent rolls.

Bake uncovered at 350 [degrees] until tops of crescent rolls are VERY brown (this will assure bottom of rolls are done).

Optional: After pouring sugar mixture over crescent rolls, sprinkle tops with cinnamon.

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Thanks Miss Lisa for being the blessing you are. And thanks for sharing your heart, your thoughts and your wisdom with us. God bless you.

We remember the Howard family and our hearts and prayers go out to them.

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Shea Lowery is the Director of Quinn's Ranch Children's Home.
Quinn's Ranch