Sports Ball

Gatherer was not an athlete growing up. Uncoordinated, shy, a dislike of pain, and definitely didn't feel like I fit in anywhere. I grew up dancing from the time I was 4 until middle school. I'm not sure if I expressed interest in it or if Gatherer's elders just stuck her in it to give her something to do. I worked fairly hard at it, I actually didn't mind class and rehearsals but performances were hell. I did tap, jazz, and ballet with a stint of gymnastics that didn't last long. I'd say I preferred solos to group pieces because it meant I didn't have to think about other people, but that was only true up until performance time when I hoped against all hopes that someone else was on that stage for people to look at. Come middle school Gatherer's Gatherer (my mom) made me choose between orchestra and dance. I chose orchestra. Are you kidding, I get to hide behind a music stand? Sign me up! Same problem existed however. Loved class, loved practice, loved lessons...hated performances. I played until I went to college and then I slid into obscurity where I belonged.

When Hunter and I had the Natives, he was super eager to put them in a sportsball thing. I love baseball with a passion, couldn't play it if I tried. He grew up playing soccer and it is something you can put tiny little native in so that is what my tiny natives started with. Native1 really grew into it. He always just sort of showed up and then in the past 2 years he got really really into it. I blame our coaches, husband and wife team and they are incredible people who are fabulous with the kids. We lucked out big time.

Native 2, on the other hand, hated every blessed minute of it. Hunter even tried coaching one year and it was THE WORST (Hunter is a great coach, Native2 just hated the whole process of physical activity and games in general). We finished the season and decided we would try something different. We tried baseball, coach pitch was "okay" for a lack of a better word, he would go to practice after complaining about having to go, he would stand in the field, he would hit the ball at his at bat, but didn't really enjoy it. Kid pitch went down hill. He hated practice, he hated games, he would get excited if he got on base, but the entire time he would ask when he could play soccer again.

I didn't stutter, the kid who HATED soccer was asking to play. So this season, we stuck him in soccer. First practice he laughed, he giggled, he ran, he PARTICIPATED. No temper tantrums, no that's not fairs, not a single bad moment. I decided not to hold my breath and to go ahead and expect the worst on game day. Maybe I should start to expect the worst all of the time because game day rolls around and the kid went beast on the field. No goalies at his level, but he basically played forward (offensive position for those who don't follow the sportsball like myself). He made goal attempts and when it didn't go in, he rallied and went after the ball again. He played well with his team mates, he didn't get mad if someone got the ball from him. He didn't flop on the field when the other team scored a goal. His team lost by a goal (maybe two, who knows, I was in shock) and he was still happy because he got a goal AND most important he tried and had fun!!!!

My take away lesson from this is that sportsball, veggies, and first impressions of just about anything all have one thing in common. Maybe give it one more try. You might find that you find a new hobby you enjoy, you might find that guy you thought was annoying was actually just really excited and passionate about something, you might find yourself challenged and happy. I have a saying with many of my close friends. I want you to be happy, successful by your own definition, and fulfilled. If you are doing things that you've given a few chances that don't give you joy, don't make you feel successful, and you aren't fulfilled, go find your soccer.