“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.
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.
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.
Croatia won the World Cup bronze (3rd place) today in Qatar vs. Morocco. Tomorrow is the final with Argentina vs. France. I was wondering where Italy was this World Cup because Italy is usually a big team. Apparently Italy has not been able to qualify for the last two World Cups. I really hope we, the USA, not only get into the World Cup in Atlanta in 2026, but win the whole entire tournament. Our men's team deserves to win as it'll be a first World Cup win for the United States Men's National Team ever!
This World Cup has been a whirlwind of emotions. I cried when the USA won vs. Iran. Watching the player from Iran hug our US player and cry on his shoulder was such an emotional moment. Iran has been going through so much turmoil and people are rising up and speaking about what has been happening. The moment when the Iranian player hugged our player and cried was a moment that represented the human connection between us throughout this time period and how we feel towards Iranians. The same US player, in the locker room after the game, put his face in his hands and cried. The brotherhood of man can be so incredibly beautiful.
The US journalist, Grant Wahl, in Qatar, was denied entry to the first game because he was wearing a rainbow shirt and that type of apparel was not allowed. Apparently FIFA and the stadium representatives from Qatar later apologized to Grant Wahl for the incident and he was released about 25 minutes later. As the World Cup continued, the journalist was apparently not feeling well and he eventually collapsed in his chair during the Netherlands game vs. Argentina in the overtime part of the game. This collapse led to his death. The soccer community has been devastated by this news.
The emptiness from the death of Grant Wahl still lingers.
This is the type of emptiness we feel from Iran.
This is the type of emptiness we feel from Ukraine.
As the World Cup continues, I sometimes feel like there's nothing I should say, nothing I should write. It's just emptiness in that place that was once full of life. How do we continue?
I look at Croatia and Morocco on the map and think about visiting the places where I can look out onto the vast ocean.
I look forward to watching the World Cup final early tomorrow morning and thank God that I am able.
May the ones we've lost along the way rest in peace and loved ones be filled with comfort.
