The Uniform

Yesterday was all about B.  First off, he has been attending his soccer team camp all week.  This is the first event of the year for them.  It is his first season playing on a travel team.  And he is extremely excited! 

So, their uniforms were distributed yesterday.  For the price of one kidney, you received 2 jerseys, 3 pairs of socks, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 t-shirts and a rain jacket.  This loot was all packaged beautifully in a plastic garbage bag with his name on it.  You would have thought I handed him the Holy Grail.  The look on his face was priceless.  (Well, actually, it did cost that small kidney…)  This child has been asking since we found out he made the team, back in May, when the uniforms would be coming.  

Last night and then again this morning, he has worn them around the house.  Right now, he is modeling this season’s rain jacket.  All of this excitement regarding the uniform makes me wonder if that is the primary reason he wanted to play for this team. 

His father and I have enrolled him in sports in hopes of fostering a sense of team.  We wanted him to get some physical activity.  And above all else, so that he can learn the value that hard work is often directly tied to the amount of success he’ll have in life.  The more you put in, the more you get out.  Not to mention, hoping he’ll learn the difficult lesson that sometimes you’re going to lose.  And that’s OK- as long as you get back up and try harder next time.  A lesson we think is all but erased from today’s modern parenting styles. 

So, with all of our grand ideals for B and his sports career at age 7, I think it comes down to this… 

Those are some really cool uniforms.