I did something this past weekend that I’ve never done
before; I attended a soccer game. Probably not anything new for some of you but
I’m more of a football kind of guy. I’ve never had an occasion, or reason, to
go to a soccer game. Not only that, I’ve never even played soccer.
Although I was involved in many sports in school, and after;
not only football, but basketball, baseball, track, volleyball, tennis, and
even golf, (I know, to categorize some of those as a sport is a little
presumptuous) back in my day, soccer was not even on the list of possibilities.
Sure, the school did have soccer balls but we used them to play kickball or
dodgeball, sometimes basketball, but never soccer.
But the world has changed. These days soccer is one of the
most popular sporting activities for kids—or so I’m told. I’m not exactly a kid
anymore so I have no firsthand knowledge on the matter. But my grandson is, a
kid that is. And this weekend was his first soccer game. And that’s why I found
myself attending a soccer game for the first time in my life.
It was interesting, and it looked like they were having fun.
Still, the game seems a little foreign to me. I kept thinking the kids would
probably have a lot better time if I gave them a football!
Okay, if I’m being honest, which I am, they didn’t really
need a football. They all seemed to be enjoying the game, as did the
spectators, including me. But there was one major problem; they don’t keep
score. How are we supposed to know who won the game? I know, they’re just kids
but I’m from that by-gone era when we didn’t sugarcoat everything; didn’t try
to coddle kids, or worry about damaging their self esteem—and we certainly
didn’t equate losing with winning. There is definitely a difference. Is it fun
to be on the losing team? The answer, obviously, is no, it’s not. But losing
does tend to make everyone try harder the next time. Because everyone,
including kids, wants to win. If there’s no chance of winning, then why try?
Why play the game?
Okay, enough of my ranting. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, just
because they (the proverbial “they” from the Land of Anonymity) don’t keep
score, doesn’t mean I don’t. I do. And did. And my grandson’s team won!
And just so you know, I successfully refrained from yelling
“Touchdown!” for the entirety of the game! ~
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