Commercial

 AYSO, American Youth Soccer Organization, is the largest soccer club in the world. From a young age, we learn about fair play. Position rotation teaches empathy, equal playing time promotes teamwork and good sportsmanship develops our character. This is how world-class environments are created. Upon this type of foundation, the American Spirit is born.

Readers

 FYI for my readers: I’m making this up as I go, trying to write a movie. Feel free to let me know what you think. 

Coach

 “We learn a lot about life when we play sports. You’re playing in the game, tired, feeling a bit defeated. ‘I can’t do this anymore’, you think to yourself as you put your hands over your head and bend over to rest for a few seconds to catch your breath. It’s in those very moments you learn you usually can keep going. Sometimes you need to sub and once in a while you might need to sit out from an injury until you heal. There are usually people ready, able and willing to help you on the sidelines, even though they might seem invisible to you while you’re playing. The games don’t last forever. You evolve as a player and you evolve as a team.”

Crying 

“Did you do the best you could?”

Nodding 

“Then you did what you needed to do.”

The Kiss

 “Found you!” I exclaimed as I pulled the door back to tag him. 

I looked up after touching his arm and he stared down at me.

“Kiss me.” He suggested. 

I tilted my chin slightly toward him and closed my eyes. 

It was magically soothing, my first kiss. 

Still is. 

Roots

 Having a soccer ball at my feet since I was able to walk doesn’t mean much except those memories being capable of connecting me to my roots. “We received approval for your root canal…” she said. Somewhere along the way, I was like a weed without direction, waiting for the wind to carry me away so I wouldn’t be in a place where I was unwanted. “Thank you so much.” I replied. Open the channel connected to my roots so I can start over again and grow like a tree. It’s all in your head, I tell myself. Yes, our teeth, they’re all in our head. 

Fortune of the Day

 

Fortune of the Day

 

Fortune of the Day

 And the fortune of the day is:

Spring Soccer

 It’s Spring Soccer season and we are beginning to immerse ourselves in the soccer world. It all started when I asked my Dad if I could borrow some of his soccer gear. I asked to borrow soccer clothes because I wanted to start working out again. After 3 kids, I need to get back into shape, was my mentality. He gave me 2 outfits and told me I could keep them. I started wearing them, just to lounge. Those Nike shorts felt amazing. Alright boys, let me teach you how to play soccer, became the goal.

World Cup came around and we watched some games together. I bought them some cleats and was delighted to be able to. We started playing at my favorite park in the city next to ours. Roll up goals that are netted and ready, green grass and an open field. A soccer player’s dream. 

Their Dad got them some indoor soccer sessions and while I was watching them play, a family friend invited me to play on a soccer team. Due to good timing and alignment, I signed up. I started playing and when I started playing, I started to remember who I am. I’ve had a soccer ball at my feet since I knew how to walk.