JulieLeung.com: a life told in tidepools

goalie Michaela

Yes, the soccer season ended Saturday. Ten months until the girls play soccer again. In the meantime I can put my soccer mom identity back in the closet. Or wear it as a costume later tonight.

This season Abigail had a particularly excellent team, coached by Brian Carson. The team was small – barely able to participate if a player or two missed a game – but the girls worked together well. The parents bonded too. We were all sad to say goodbye.

Michaela’s team was fun to watch. The 5-year-olds at the beginning of the season didn’t know which way to take the ball down the field. But by the end of the season they were playing well and scoring at the appropriate goal.

At times I felt tired by the soccer schedule. This was our first year juggling two players in one family. Saturday mornings suddenly become more demanding with two soccer games.

But it was worthwhile. On a note of interest: Abigail’s team was the first time we’ve been in a group on Bainbridge where 5 of 7 players had Asian heritage. Ballet, and now soccer, have been the two places in this 90%+ white community that have seemed most racially diverse.

By the last game, I was ready to reclaim our Saturdays but at the same time I saw what we had all learned. Physical skills, sure. Abigail’s team especially learned how to play together. The girls learned endurance. And all of us made new friends.

I washed off the soccer shoes and shin guards, preparing to put them in the closet for the year. I think we’ll miss soccer. But more than that, we’ll miss seeing the friends we made.