The End of an Era

16 years and countless hours on a soccer field, dozens of pairs of cleats, shinguards and uniforms; lots of laundry, sunscreen and gas, and now it is all in the rearview mirror. Clayton has played his last soccer game. Oh, I am quite sure that there will be more games and soccer play in his future, but the “official” club, high school and NCAA College teams are finished. And it is time to hang up my “soccer mom” hat!

I remember the first season that he played and was one of the only blonde kids on the team. The other parents called him Dash, after the kid on the Incredibles movie. He has had many wins and losses. He has had lousy coaches as well as kind and competent ones.  He has had yellow cards and a few reds, some deserved and some not, from referees who were both fair and idiotic.

He has made friends, learned how to be a team player and learned about countries around the world. He learned a good work ethic and responsibility.  I think that all the endorphins produced during Jim’s illness and death, helped Clayton through the very dark valley of grief.

I could go on and on. It is bittersweet to be at the end and I wish I could do it all over again. Soccer certainly has shaped my son and me too. I am blessed.