this was alaythia's first time playing. we didn't have high expectations -- as really we had no idea what she would do. before her first game matt whispered to me that this was going to be the most beautiful and joyful thing he's every witnessed. no expectation, no pressure, just joy in watching her play. but our frustration soon surfaced. alaythia picked clovers, played in the net, played with her shadow. if her coach could get 2 quarters out of her that was a good game. her loud mother was screaming from the sideline for her to at least watch the ball.
but i'm happy to say that she might have gotten the most improved player on the team. by the end of the season she actually ran after that ball. she watched it (most of the time), and even started to go and attempt to take the ball from the other team. and honestly it did turn into pure joy at the end. watching her curly hair bounce as she ran down the field. watching her swing her arms over-dramatically as she ran. and watching her 'serious' face as she tried to get the ball.
she was a bit disappointed her trophy wasn't pink...but i think the gold was a fine substitute.
isaiah moved up a division this year. his field is like 3 times as big as his field last year. he was put on a team with a lot of great talent. two of his teammates were the son and daughter of the men's assistant soccer coach at U of L. coach sanchez actually ran several practices -- a HUGE bonus for YMCA soccer. if you'll excuse me and chalk it up to being his mother... isaiah was a thing of beauty out there! no one out worked him. he pushed himself as hard as he could, often playing every quarter. playing with the sanchez kids upped his game. his passing, feel of the field and overall understanding of the strategy of the game improved tremendously. it is safe to say that watching isaiah play was the highlight of our week. i was really impressed with his talent, but more than that his character that stood out to all that interacted with him.
the two players.
it would be wrong of me not to mention the best cheerleader ever. who attended practices and games with patience and endurance. and who really cheered for her big brother and sister. often you could hear (after mommy gave a yell) 'go zay!' or 'go ssss!' being hauled from place to place...being fed snacks and toys to help her get through the game.
yes, two different seasons for sure. but we felt the tremendous blessing of getting to watch our children -- in all their differences, beauty and health. we know we are blessed.
