Lessons Learned on a Soccer Field

***I've been trying to write this post for a week now but each time I try, I get emotional and can't seem to tell the story as well as I want to. If you are the type that will get misty eyed at a touching story, I suggest you stop reading now and grab a Kleenex before reading on. ***

Cameron finished his soccer season on May 25th. He played on a co-ed team of 1st and 2nd graders. I'm proud to say that this year he actually got the concept of soccer and actually became the little star of his team. He has a powerful kick and also loves to defend the goal so he played forward and defender in most games and scored at least one goal at every game. At the beginning of the season, his coach (who had 2 boys on the team) told the parents that shortly after he committed to being the coach, his oldest son, Tomas, was diagnosed with cancer. He just wanted us to be aware so that if he wasn't able to make a game or practice, someone else would be willing to step up and help out. In the first few games, Tomas played just like the other kids...occasionally getting tired but able to run up and down the field. As the season progressed though, we'd notice that Tomas wasn't able to play as long and would ask to sit out more often. When we'd ask the coach how Tomas was doing, he'd reply, "we have good days and bad days."

Due to being rained out the week before, we had 2 games in the final week of the season...one on Monday, one on Tuesday. After Monday night's game our coach told all the kids to make sure they were at the game the following evening because we were going to have some special visitors. When we arrived to the field Tuesday, the entire Alta High School boys soccer team was there in their practice uniforms. They surrounded our team and helped them warm up, stretch out, and then one got on his knees in the goalie box and let the kids kick goals at him. They were especially conscientious of Tomas.

Throughout the game, the Alta team would go out on the field during quarters, cheer on the players by name, and applaud when substitutions were made. They were very supportive. In the middle of the first half, 3 players from the REAL soccer team (the Major League Soccer team in Salt Lake) came to the game. They presented jerseys to Tomas and the rest of his family and stayed for the remainder of the game, cheering with the High School boys.

On the last play of the game, Cameron was dribbling the ball down the field. Parents and other players started chanting, "Pass it to Tomas." Cam kind of looked over at me and I said, "pass it" and so he did...a perfect pass right to Tomas' feet. At this point in the game, Tomas wasn't really running up the field, just standing in one spot because he was physically exhausted. I know that no one else will remember this perfect pass Cam made because that wasn't the focus but I was so proud of Cam for getting it right to him so he didn't have to run after the ball. Tomas dribbled a little bit and the ref blew the whistle, ending the game. Then the coaches and referee huddled together and I'm assuming that our coach was explaining to the other coach why the High School and REAL players were there that night. The other coach quickly ran over to her goalie, whispered some instruction in his ear, and they lined Tomas up with the soccer ball at the head of the goal. Everyone in attendance was cheering for Tomas as he kicked a goal and the opposing goalie "missed" it. There wasn't a dry eye in the crowd.

Many lessons were learned that day. Compassion, team work, caring more about others than you do yourself...and on and on. What a special way to end the season for the entire team, especially Tomas. I'm sure he'll never forget it...and neither will we.


**(top row) Colby, Victor, Cameron, Madison,(bottom row) Hope, Tomas, Coach, Anna, Avalon**
**The team with Tomas' family, Alta High School and REAL players***
***Tomas running through a tunnel made by the Alta players after the game.***