At some point every player stops playing. I think every parent misses it. It took three years before I stopped actively searching each week for high school and college games to watch.
My son’s college career ended in a doctor’s office when he was told he needed a second surgery. At the time I wished I had known it was the last game when it was the last game.
The journey never ends. Eventually you see a successful young adult. Then a parent. Before you know it your watching the cycle repeat when he’s coaching his kids.