We co-sponsored all of the Rascal teams this fall. With all the different colors of the shirts, it was like watching a field full of Skittles wearing shirts that said DAVE’S TEAM. I smiled and said to myself, “Whattya think of that, Dave?”
What fun it was watching these little kids running around the fields like swarms of bees. Sure, the coaches tried ever so valiantly to keep order and teach teamwork, but the kids really just wanted to run in bunches. At times, they actually lined up and took turns kicking the ball into the net and doing what they were told. But, they were having much more fun chasing each other and knocking each other to the ground. The coach would yell “Take the ball” and that’s exactly what one little boy did—he picked it up and ran with it! If the ball wasn’t lined up perfectly in front of the net, one little girl just picked it up and put it where she wanted. I give the coaches a lot of credit for having such patience and, most of all, a good sense of humor!
This was a very special sponsorship because my grandson, Tyler, was part of the clinic. Seeing Tyler on the field was a truly bittersweet moment. I felt so much joy in watching him run up and down the field and make all the mistakes the other three-year olds made. A few times I heard myself yell, ‘Go Da–, Tyler.” Dave’s name slipped out a couple of times. I have to admit it wasn’t only the bright sun that made my eyes tear. To see Dave turn from one of the bees in the swarm to a great player was an amazing journey; not only for him, but for me, too.
Who knows if soccer will be Tyler’s “thing” like it was Dave’s. No matter what he decides to do, he’ll find his Grandma rooting him on—maybe not with a tray of oranges—but rooting him on nevertheless.
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