That age-old principal about sowing and reaping, getting what you deserve and things coming back around is one of the truest things I know. Things don't always happen quickly, but when they do it richly blesses my short-term memory. Anything longer than short-term I tend to forget about it in the first place.
I blogged to you about The Hub scooping up the player in the mini-NBA aka 4th grade basketball draft that was assessed with the lowest ranking score. Amidst other coaches debating who would have to take this girl, The Hub delightfully raised his hand and volunteered, cheerfully I might add, to count her on his team. Now, I must tell you The Hub's rendition of this for us, was how noble he was being, how ridiculous it was that this was even an issue, and hey, they are just there to learn the game and have fun, right? Who cares if they win? I promise you that was Mr. Uber-competitive's attitude. I know you don't believe it. We didn't either. I think he had mentally prepared himself for something less than a winning season, but he would make sure it would be fun for the girls. A re-building season, he reasoned.
Yesterday, The Hub gets a phone call from the coordinator. Turns out, that the top draft pick of the 4th grade basketball registrants can't practice on Monday, but only on Friday. The Hub's practice day. How about that for a change in things? The top draft pick has now been added to The Hub's-ahem-"rebuilding season." As The Hub relayed this to Soccer Chick and me, I could see the light in his little eyeballs. I believe he was glowing, actually. The smile creeped up in the corners of his mouth, and try as he might, he could not keep a straight face while telling us of this interesting change in things. "We're about to be killing it out there!" Um. I guess we are no longer rebuilding? Now we are tearing things down!
The Hub's natural competitive nature has resurrected. And here I thought it would be a calm season. The Hub would argue with my presentation of the facts. Insisting instead, that his focus remains the same. But Soccer Chick and I both saw that sparkle and determination in The Hub as he talked. He can play noble-guy all he wants, but for sure, what goes around comes around. His gift was the top draft pick in exchange for his eager willingness to take the bottom pick of the draft. Life really does work that way.
In another sport world, I think Soccer Chick is hoping that principle comes into play for her. This weekend was the All-Star Tournament. Soccer Chick's regular season team found 4 picks to play on All-Stars. Going into practice this week, she was apprehensive about how this team would gel together, and really felt like she and her girls wouldn't get to know these girls within one week's time. How in the world would they play well if they don't even know each other's names? Good thing friendship is so much easier for kids than it seems to be for adults. If it were me, I would still be wondering what those girls' names are. But Soccer Chick and her teammates not only gelled with these girls, they actually played an incredible tournament.
Four short games on Saturday, beginning at game 1: 8am kickoff. Yes, you read that right. 8am. As in, I forgot to even put shoes on and walked onto the soccer field with my cozy slippers on. That kind of 8am. These tournament games are quick, 25 minutes each. The whistle at half-time does not mean a break and coaching huddle for the kids. It means, switch sides, and let's see if you can flip-flop and know your left from right as you do the switch. I swear I think there was someone playing left forward that switched to right forward in that swap. Regardless of positions, the girls won game 1: 2-0, won game 2: 1-0 and won game 3: 1-0. Seriously. They played very well.
Shortly after wrapping up game 1 I advised Soccer Chick to inform her All-Stars coach that she is left-handed and he was misusing her at right forward. Game 2 and Game 3 there was full understanding of her power forward moves at left forward. Game 3 ended in a tie 0-0. Teams are ranked by number of goals made as they progress to Sunday's games towards the championship game. First game on Sunday morning: 10am. Gulp. Had to break the news to Soccer Chick, she would have to miss the game. One of the things that is a house rule: church comes first. We want to make sure we give them the right message. There will be lots of other opportunities for _______, we let them fill in the blank when needed. But any opportunity you have to worship God, should and will take priority. So, disappointed as she was, Soccer Chick swallowed this news like a big girl. We don't expect them to like it or even agree with it, but the rule remains the same. What is that they say? Stand for something, or fall for anything.
If her team won the first Sunday morning game they advanced to the next game at 1:45. I don't think Soccer Chick has ever rushed me out of church so quickly in all her life. She couldn't wait to get home and read the email to see if they won. We rent a school for church services. That means we have to set up the cafeteria for lunch the next school day. Packing up isn't as simple as walking your stuff to the car after services. There is actual work involved. Soccer Chick found herself being more helpful than ever in packing up and setting up. Amazing what motivates us.
We get home and find out the team won, and will advance to the next game. Super-speed swallowing of food and off to the game we go. I don't think I blinked or breathed in that in between half of a minute to be home before we had to leave for the game. In this game, the girls tied 0-0. Best play of the game would have to be when Soccer Chick was running so fast and with such force, trying to save the ball from going out of bounds, she plowed into the side of a trashcan on the side of the field. Great entertainment for us spectators. Not so much for her.
She is an awesome player to watch. She is aggressive, speedy, powerful and makes watching soccer very exciting. The team ended the game in a 0-0 tie. Gulp. Big gulp. That means at this semi-final game they will have to do a shoot-out. It's just a part of soccer, but not these girls' favorite thing to do. Unfortunately they lost in the shoot-out and the other team celebrated wildly. In our defense we had one goal that should have counted during this game, says me, the mom... As the ball was in motion, the ref calls halftime. If it's in motion shouldn't the goal count? I say yes, duh. Nonetheless, the girls lost and took that loss hard. Soccer Chick shed some tears. And you know, pre-game I was commenting to some other parents about how the girls get all worked up over this quick weekend tournament, crying when they lose, and how silly that is. But there my girl was, visibly upset about the loss. And from watching her play, it is understood why. It is easy to see that when you play that hard, and with that much determination and focus, it's tough when you lose. In anything, when you invest your best, you want the best results and it's hard to walk away without a victory.
But again, what goes around comes around, so Soccer Chick has lots to look forward to. She's a great player and has a lot of natural talent. There will be many more games to play and lots of opportunities for wins. As long as she, and we, keep sowing good things, we will be sure to reap the same. All in God's time...
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