Gold Medal

Dearest Jackson David,

Your first ever soccer season is in the books!  It’s unbelievable to think of how much you've improved over the season!  Not only did you learn a lot about a new sport, but we learned a lot too!

We learned that you anticipate events.  Positions weren't taught or assigned but you took on the roll of “fullback” at every game.  While the rest of the kids would be running around the field “large school of fish style”, you’d be hanging in the defensive third, all alone, but intently watching.  You waited for the ball to come in “your zone” and then you attacked it every time!  We talked to you about moving up to midfield but you told us “The ball will be coming here soon!” – and you had a good point.

We learned that you are fast!  It wasn't until we saw you darting around the field that we realized that you run faster than most of the other kids out there.  On more than a few occasions, other parents commented to us about how quickly you run.  I even heard parents on the opposing team refer to you as “the fast kid” in last week’s game!

We learned that you are tough!  You took plenty of spills throughout the season but almost always jumped right back up and kept on going.  Coaches, refs, and even your teammates would try to check on you after a fall, but you’d be running down the field again before you could answer them. 

We learned that you are a natural!  We saw how awesome you were at baseball and wondered if it had something to do with your team dynamics, coaching staff, etc.  Well, this experience was different in the fact that you were on a team with 7 other kids who had no idea what was going on and a coach who was barely present – much less teaching you any skills.  However, you still showed amazing athletic ability!  That’s a God given thing, son – because it sure didn't come from Mommy or Daddy!

We learned that you are not aggressive by nature.  You were quick to note the most aggressive player on the team and you made it a point to stay away from him as much as possible.  The cool thing is that you still stepped it up when the situation called for it though.  This was an interesting personality trait to watch each week and it surprised us about you!

You earned a medal for completing the season and you are so incredibly proud of it!  And we are so incredibly proud of YOU!

And it looks like you inspired someone else to get into the game ; )