While the season is in full swing, games are being played, refs are plying their trade, and adults are discovering the positives and negatives of being "soccer parents". Someone once said that soccer is the most expensive game to put your kids in because it costs $100 for the game, $50 for the shoes and $30,000 for the minivan. We do love it though.
I have discovered that this beautiful game is being driven by wonderful volunteers. This is front line folks like the coaches who spend evenings searching the internet for worthwhile drills to back room folks that drive late at night to drop off a form so that a kid will not miss one extra game.
I love to have organized people come to me, take a task on, make it their own and watch it work effortlessly. I know that it is an illusion, but it is still fun to watch. The next time you see a volunteer, stop them and say thanks.
Personal anecdote - Last week I got the opportunity to watch a classic see-saw battle that ended in a one goal victory. As the game ended I saw a Grandfatherly-type gentleman walking off the field, shaking his head. I moved over to him and asked him how he liked the game and if he had someone he was there for. He said that he was just from the neighborhood and had walked over a few weeks ago to see what all the fuss was about. I asked why he was shaking his head. He he said that wasn't sure he handle that much excitement. Then with a huge grin and a twinkle in his eye he said "see you next week", and walked off. We live in a great community.
