Hey there, Buster,
I’m going to be honest: this is brand-new territory for me. It’s no secret that I was never very athletic as a kid or, frankly, ever… unless we’re playing catch, and then I can catch just about anything you throw near me. To top it off, your sister’s sports are ones I’m familiar with: softball and gymnastics. But soccer? And a travel team no less?
Like I said: Brand. New. Territory.
Still, I know you’re ready. You may only be eight years old, but you’ve been asking – or dare I say, pleading – to start the travel team. You’re ready to up your game. You’re ready for competition. And as much as you loved dad coaching your local house soccer team, because you loved every second of it, you say you want to play more… and all year round.
You’ve played your first couple of games already, and I know you’re right. I could tell by how you listen to your coach, with how you know what to do, and how you give it all despite the growing pains that plagued your legs this past week.
You want to play and you want to win.
But as we get deeper into this season, I feel like it’s important to remember a few things:
- You won’t win every game.
- Not everyone will play fair.
- The games won’t always go the way you want.
- The coach won’t always put you in the game when you want him to.
- Heck, you won’t always get to play the position you want, either.
What matters, more than anything, is this: have fun. Enjoy the game. Don’t forget why you play — the sheer joy of chasing down the ball and doing your fancy foot skills. (All that to say, go ahead and celebrate every goal — we adore your “Cole Palmer”-like celebration).
I think I always shied away from travel sports because of the competition, not to mention all the time on the road. But I think it’s also important to lean into the things we love to do, because isn’t that what life should be about?
Your dad and I finally agreed that you were ready for the travel team, because we want to support you in whatever way we can (even if dad isn’t allowed to coach from the sidelines). Even so, when the adrenaline of the game, or even the practice, wears off—as it will at some point when frustration creeps in—don’t forget why you joined in the first place… for the love of the game.
Don’t ever stop chasing that ball and chasing your dreams. But, most especially, don’t ever lose that spark.
Love you, always and forever,
Mom
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