Soccer Crazy

Soccer was the thing for all young men to play. And my little love wanted to join desperately in the game. So he got to be the goalie… to wear that special crown. He was so excited as he was sent in front of that net. And we were so very proud of what this honor surely meant. I told every one he was my son and we couldn’t be prouder of him, than that. But it didn’t take long for him to feel lost as his friends went running in the game. So alone, he started kicking at dirt clods and looking for bugs with which to play. Then he spun in circles and showed off for some girls in every way… So the girls were sent to help keep his eye on the ball… as best they could. For he had been paying attention to them, as the first goal went sailing through… At this point I said oops and boys will be boys… as I smiled, though in doubt… But it got better as he suddenly started exploring the net, and I heard a shout… He’d decided to play spider man as he ran and threw himself at the net. He tried to cling up higher with every jump he brilliantly took. As I was waving my hands back and forth while trying to tell him to cut it out… I was getting really frantic, trying to tell him that the ball was coming close… But he was half way up the net as the next goal came sailing past to score. Now my head was in my hands for the team kids were looking kinda sore.... For now they had to run their hearts out… to try to win the game and score. I began to wonder if the team would ever forgive him if they lost? The coach made two more visits to try to get his attention at any cost… He really was quite kind as he said in no uncertain terms to leave the net alone… And so, my son paid attention for another moment or more, you know… But while everyone was running and scoring at the other end… I turned to see him hanging upside down, his foot caught in the net, up in the air. Everyone ran out to save him with me… or was it to save the net? When we got back to sit down the coach was looking a little strained. And I was contemplating hiding under the bleachers as the other team scored, again. At half time, my little goalie seemed happy relegated to the bench with all his friends. But I was worried he might be… kicked off the team… I was in terror, my friend… At this point, several turned to assure me every thing would be all right... After all, last year it had been their kid’s turn for… hanging upside down...