Our first grandson is graduating from high school in early June. Can't figure out how we can be old enough for this to be happening...but it is! Sadly, for all of his life he and his mom, dad and brother lived far away from us and we didn't get to share as much time as we would have liked to. But he's happy and the whole family loves living in Washington State.
I don't know when he started to play soccer....but he was in early grade school. The first experience was probably similar to when we watched his dad learn the game many years ago. A hoard of little kids, legs pumping, ALL running after the ball and no one holding position!
But he learned and practiced and as he grew it became evident that this young athlete was an exceptionally good soccer player. Junior high schoo, traveling teams, high school, tournaments around the state, summer soccer camps. His skills with the ball increased and coaches took notice. College coaches.
So then there were the trips to visit campuses and determine which school would have the majors he wanted and allow him to play and maybe (hopefully qualify him for scholarships to help with expenses). Everything was falling into place....the college he selected wanted him to play starting freshman year....no warming the bench. And the scholarship was tied to his academics.....all good.
Until the last game of his high school season as a senior. I wasn't there....but he was hit by a player from the opposing team and went down. His knee. Both the ACL and the MCL would need to be repaired surgically. The surgeon offers hope that since he is young, and determined, he may be able to start playing again as a sophomore...and the college coach is on board with that.
But what a life-blow for this now young man we love so much. He went to prom on crutches and if he goes to graduation we'll see him in a wheelchair.
Not what he dreamed of. And deferred dreams are hard.....especially when you are 18.
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