I'll miss soccer more than my son ✍️
Today marks a special day.
Nelson will have his last soccer training, ever. The soccer season ends, but also his career playing it. After 5 years, he lost interest and decided he wanted something else. He already chose basketball. So for the last couple of weeks, it has been a mixture of both. And for him, the switch already occurred. His mind is completely on basketball, going to soccer only because he has to.
I, on the other hand, am still processing the switch. I've been going to the soccer club for 5 years, often 4 or 5 days a week. I remember the beginning, seeing those tiny creatures blindly chasing the ball around the pitch, almost tripping over their gigantic shirts. They had to learn everything. I remember being doubtful initially, thinking it wasn't for him. But he pursued. He grew, and with every new season he decided to continue. Until now.
As a parent supporting your child(ren), you want to be there for them. Cheering them on, showing you care and being there in difficult moments. So that's what I did. Every training session, I kept watching alongside other parents, eventually moving to the club bar for a drink, but still being close. During these moments, and with each game, I got to learn the other parents. Especially since the group remained mostly the same for all these years.
And that's the nice thing about soccer and other after-school activities. It brings people from all flavors together. I got to learn so many great people who I likely wouldn't have met, if it weren't for soccer. Standing at the side of the pitch, in rain (sharing an umbrella), cold (urging for a hot drink) or heat, brings you closer the together. We shared our ups and downs, gave each-other tips and advice, and shared moments together.
I remember the difficult times we had in the family and talking to other parents made it feel that we and our boys were normal. Or at least, not the only ones going through a rough period. I learned more about autism and ADHD from others going through similar circumstances. I enjoyed providing running advice to others starting or running their first events.
All that is about to end today. Or, at least on a frequent base at the soccer club. I might still bump into people and have a chat with them. Or reach out to some. But over time I assume this will fade.
I know, I'll quickly rebuild something similar with basketball.
But just for today, let me mourn the closure of the soccer era.
Thanks for taking the time to read this!
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