Outside it is gray and overcast. You can feel the first chill of autumn... not enough for a coat, but just enough to let you know that summer no longer has a grip on you. Outside you can smell fireplaces being used for the first time this season. The ground is damp from rain the day before, and it's grassy, earthy smell mingles with the smoke to create the perfect backdrop for a game of soccer.
It's been ten years since I laced up my cleats and ran out onto the field for the last time, but I can still remember the thrill of sliding in the mud, clearing the ball down field, and dribbling and dodging my way to the goal. My days on the field have now passed, but I am fortunate to be able to share the joy of the game with Lucy.
On Saturday Lucy took to the soccer field for the first time. She was thrilled to be on a soccer team, even if she wasn't quite sure what that meant. She was fiercely proud of her uniform, from her cleats to her shinguards to her blue shirt with the number 7. Because it is a non-competitive league, the only preparation we gave Lucy was not to pick up the ball. In retrospect, perhaps we could have been a little clearer about what to expect...
The coach lined everyone up for kickoff and told Lucy where to stand. After the ball was kicked and the game was in full swing, Lucy was still rooted to the same spot. She had been told to stand there, and stand there she did. She was following directions so well, that she didn't realize she could move after the ball had been kicked. After some prompting, Lucy jumped right in with everyone else chasing the ball up and down the field. She took some bumps and got in some kicks and ran all over the field with her ponytail flying behind her. By the end of the game, she was having so much fun, that it took her by surprise when she got knocked down. She got up with tears in her eyes, but my tough little girl turned around and chased after the ball anyways. When the game came to an end, both teams lined up, shook hands, and then ran to the sidelines. As soon as Lucy got to us, she promptly burst into tears. Her explanation? "I didn't get to use the purple ball today." My explanation? Lucy is easily overwhelmed by emotions, and as exhausted as she was, she had to let it all out. After taking some deep breaths to calm down, she was introduced to the post game snack. Happiness and joy were fully restored by a bag of animal crackers and a juice box! By the time we pulled into our driveway, Lucy was already asking when her next game would be. Whether she is looking forward to the game or the snack remains to be seen...
It's been ten years since I laced up my cleats and ran out onto the field for the last time, but I can still remember the thrill of sliding in the mud, clearing the ball down field, and dribbling and dodging my way to the goal. My days on the field have now passed, but I am fortunate to be able to share the joy of the game with Lucy.
On Saturday Lucy took to the soccer field for the first time. She was thrilled to be on a soccer team, even if she wasn't quite sure what that meant. She was fiercely proud of her uniform, from her cleats to her shinguards to her blue shirt with the number 7. Because it is a non-competitive league, the only preparation we gave Lucy was not to pick up the ball. In retrospect, perhaps we could have been a little clearer about what to expect...
The coach lined everyone up for kickoff and told Lucy where to stand. After the ball was kicked and the game was in full swing, Lucy was still rooted to the same spot. She had been told to stand there, and stand there she did. She was following directions so well, that she didn't realize she could move after the ball had been kicked. After some prompting, Lucy jumped right in with everyone else chasing the ball up and down the field. She took some bumps and got in some kicks and ran all over the field with her ponytail flying behind her. By the end of the game, she was having so much fun, that it took her by surprise when she got knocked down. She got up with tears in her eyes, but my tough little girl turned around and chased after the ball anyways. When the game came to an end, both teams lined up, shook hands, and then ran to the sidelines. As soon as Lucy got to us, she promptly burst into tears. Her explanation? "I didn't get to use the purple ball today." My explanation? Lucy is easily overwhelmed by emotions, and as exhausted as she was, she had to let it all out. After taking some deep breaths to calm down, she was introduced to the post game snack. Happiness and joy were fully restored by a bag of animal crackers and a juice box! By the time we pulled into our driveway, Lucy was already asking when her next game would be. Whether she is looking forward to the game or the snack remains to be seen...
Ready To Play
Lucy's Tough Look
Goal Kick
Chasing The Ball
6 comments:
Oh, my that is the cutest thing I have ever seen!!! I remember when my little brother was playing when he was about the same age as Lucy is now and all he wanted to do was play with the grass. I love it!
Glad Lucy had such a great time! The visual image of her just standing there after kick-off cracks me up! At least she's obedient! ;-) You better be practicing for when she faces Peyton's team! They're a force to be reckoned with! (NOT! They had no idea what they were doing!)
How cute is she in that soccer uniform?! I love that tough face!
Kelly- I'm glad to hear that Lucy's and Peyton's teams are at the same level. If we had been keeping score on Saturday, Lucy's team would have lost by about 25 to 1!:) I think the other team had a couple of ringers!
We're doing soccer too! It's so much fun! Of course, Eric and I have never played before so we're kind of clueless. But Hayley seems to be having fun!
Now that is one intimidating team! I would not want to meet them in a dark alley--especially wearing cleats :)
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