Nathan's First Soccer Game

Nathan is playing soccer through Lomita Parks and Rec. He hasn't done soccer since AYSO when he was four, which was a total disaster. Being the social four year old that he was, Nathan spent all practices chatting with and hugging the other players around him. He also enjoyed putting his arms inside of his shirt and yanking on his team vest.
This year however, at seven years old, the boy was a force to be reckoned with. No, he didn't save the team and score a goal, but that boy's heart was determined to his best and it was a sight to behold.

Brad was such an enthusiastic cheerleader that I'm wondering if anyone besides our good friends will sit with us next game. He was a very supportive father.

The boy feigning sleep here was also very enthusiastic. Brad would scream, "Run, Nathan, run!" Simon would counter, "Run, Brudder, run!" Brad would scream, "Watch out for number twenty-seven!" Simon would counter, "Go, twenty-seven, go!"

Soccer proved an excellent analogy to parenting. The children ran in a tight pack all kicking at this one ball or each other's shins. Parents screamed (some more than others) in support of their child, but our behinds remained our seat. How I so wanted to jump out of the bleachers and yell, "I'm coming! I'm coming to help you! Don't worry!" But I didn't. Through all the screaming and encouraging and coaching, the tight-knit group of children all chasing this one ball, never did break up, and our team lost the game.
Nathan had a great time racing all over the field. We were proud parents.