Soccer Mom, Professional Level

My middle child, Garrett, made his professional soccer debut in goal last night for the U23 team in a large city 120 miles from here in a huge commercial stadium.  He played a 4-0 shutout.  It was the first game in a four game U. S. Cup qualifying series.  In one spectacular save, he was kicked in the jaw by one of his own players. His beautiful smile is intact, though.  He said 'I keep my jaw clenched when I dive', which is good advice for life in general. 

It was really something to go to that huge stadium in that big city and wait in line at the entrance gates, knowing my kid would be taking the field there!  I was so nervous.  But like Mack said at the time (he's visiting from Florida), 'This is what he's been preparing for most of his life.'  He reminded me that Garrett made his first save in goal when he was 3 1/2, rushing between the flags to kick a ball out that the goalie on Mack's team would have missed.  The ref made me take him off the field, gave the other team the goal, and Garrett was disgusted.  He said. 'That boy dumb. He not get that ball. I get that ball'.  He's come a long way since then.

George is in red-neck heaven.  He gets to watch his kid play soccer while he himself drinks beer and eats hotdogs!  He has a team hat in camo, and wants to join up with the local 'Army', the swaying, mouthy, singing group of team supporters.  Garrett may have to disown him.

My son is a pro player.  The years of practices, muddy equipment, swampy-smelling little boys in the van getting dropped off all over town, ground rubber pieces throughout the house, and hours at wet cold fields have culminated in this.  Thousands of miles. thousands of hours, tens of thousands of dollars as he advanced through club ball, Olympic Development Program, to high school, to college, and now this.  I am humbled by his dedication and skill.  I am proud of his accomplishments.  I am stunned that it has happened so fast.  It seems that just the other day that he was a little guy, dwarfed by the goalposts and his jersey.  

And, now he is a professional, in every sense of the word.  My heart just forgot to keep up.