New Uniforms

Drew got new soccer uniforms. With three games left to play in his senior year, Drew was happy that the coach had done some research and identified decent uniforms for the boys to purchase. Of course, coach is looking to next year. Not this one. I tried to convince Drew to stick with the old ones for the end of the season. Couldn't he just make do for a few more games?

But I see his excitement, his happiness, his pride in having the good stuff. I guess it sort of helps make the disappointments of the season a bit less painful. After all, they have only won 2 games. They will make it to sectionals, but it has been a hard year for them. Not one in which they were badly defeated. Always just by a point or two and often at the last minute. No matter. They have played well.

It has been a good sport for Drew. He has learned patience, commitment, good sportsmanship, and a surprising amount about how to be a leader. He believes that a team is only as good as their weakest link, and that the best way to deal with that is to come around that weak link and find ways to encourage and support that less athletic person, help them stretch for their potential without making them feel like they are impeding the team, though at the same time giving them a sense of the value - when to be included, when to sit out. Calling for commitment on their part to invoke participation rights.

Not bad. I know many adults who could learn that little lesson. So I invest not in new uniforms, but in the man Drew is turning out to be.