Dear Asher,
Happy birthday #9 my young soccer playing granddaughter!
No doubt you are aware that the World Cup starts in 2 days and then 2 days after that we start our Sunset Beach week together. So we will have to find some time to watch some soccer together. I love that you love soccer. It is actually a big part of your heritage.
Did you know that your dad was instrumental in what has become known around the world as the “Titanic Turnaround”? The article below came from something that was known as a newspaper – it was a precursor to what you know as an internet newsfeed. It talks about a shootout to decide the championship match for the soccer league he was playing in. Your dad was the keeper and preserved the win for the Titans. Much like you did a few weeks ago when you blocked the last shootout kick that would have tied the match – after you had made the shootout kick that put your team ahead.
But perhaps you know that I also played soccer. I played for my high school team as a senior and was co-captain along with two of my best friends. In 1976 soccer was still just starting to catch on in the United States. There were not the plethora of recreational leagues or developmental leagues or travel teams that are available to you today. But you can see from the picture below that I was a 17 year old shaggy haired stud of a soccer player. Much has changed. I was not as good at soccer as you or your dad, but I did have fun playing. I played left wing and even scored two goals – one with my left foot and one with my right foot. So you represent the third generation of soccer players in our family. I hope I am still around to see generation #4.
Here are a few of my observations having watched you play for several years now…
- You are fearless
- You play with passion
- You are learning and getting better and better
- You understand the concept of team and working together
- You are willing to put in the practice
- You enjoy the comoraderie and the competition
All of these are great attributes to have when it comes to soccer and being successful on the field. But they are also great attributes to have for just about anything. Apply them in school. Apply them when you get your first job. Apply them as you get to know people and develop relationships. Apply them as you seek to know God better.
I’m looking forward to watching you on the field in the years to come. But even more so, I’m looking forward to watching you grow into a beautiful young woman. And by the way, you are only one year away from turning 10. Don’t forget.
Never forget that you are very loved!
Pop Pop
Thanks for sharing this story, Shay….such an interesting family connection with so many truths for your granddaughter in soccer and life. By the way, I recently read “Theo of Golden” and gained much from that reading. Thanks for recommending it to me and our classmates.
Ben