Nate Plays Soccer

I don't believe it! Yet, I knew that this day would come, Nate is playing soccer, and that makes Angie a soccer mom. Pretty funny how history repeats itself. It seems like yesterday that Steve, his uncle and my youngest son, played soccer. Then it was Matthew, who is now a sophmore in high school. The three of them, all played at the same field in Charlton.

So how did our big boy do? Just "a typical 4-year-old" said his coach, Jean. But being his grandmother, I saw more. I saw him sit down on the field while the game was being played, only to be reminded to get up by another assistant coach. At times, totally unaware that the game was being played while he sat on the ground in their midst.

He was playing defense at one point, and ran all around the field, forgetting or not knowing what he was supposed to be doing. It was so cute. All the time, he just wanted to get his kicking in, as part of the team. He had some real good kicks, and was very proud of himself, telling me all about it. He was wearing a yellow shirt with the number three, -- with the name of an area sponsor.

Several times, he took the sideline at which time, his mother tried to explain what was going on in the game. It's going to take time and patience, as is all good things in life. Other kids his age, I was told, just cry, apparently they are not ready to engage in sports. The older kids on the team, like little John, I think his name was, or number 1, knew exactly what was going on and capitolized on the inefficiency of those who wanted to play, but had a different understanding of playing soccer on a team. This is how it all begins. They are there to participate in little ways, while developing their skills and confidence. Nate looked up everytime he heard an airplane. We anticipated this, as that is his great love. Mom said, something about "a no-fly zone". We all noticed it, even his uncle Carlos, who asked him how many planes he saw. Immediately, he said three. Then, he added, he also saw "helicopters". We knew that!

Support, from a loving family is what Nate has. He will be a champion, and already is in the eyes and hearts of all who were there to watch him run around the field with all the other's on a perfect sunny, Saturday morning. There was grampy, and mommy, and his new brother, Ryan who was sound asleep in his baby carriage. Uncle Carlos, and aunt Julie and Kaylieanna were also present. Aunt Jean, who is the coach, her husband Sean, Colleen, who was on the team with him, his cousin Sean, cousin Hannah and me..

It was always said, that it's not if you win or lose, but how you play the game. He thinks he did great and, so did we. It's not who you are, but who you think you are.

Come to think of it, I was a soccer mom too!

Play Ball?

Nathan was young when he first handled a ball. It seems he was always a sports enthusiast even before he could walk, he'd watch the Red Sox or Patriots, Celtics and Bruins play on TV. You could hear him say go Sox. or, Yea!

His mother works in Boston, has met some of the players and would talk about them. So early on, he would say "Manny," calling some of the players by name. When I asked him about a player who had been traded, at two-years-old he answered, "He's gone." I thought it was incredible. How did he know that? It was just as if he'd watched the news. I see a real interest growing here.

We allow him to pass the ball in the house where it will do little, if any damage. So, when grampy comes home, the first words out of his mouth are "play ball,"? Grampy is quick to accommodate him. Its more important than even eating for both of them. Nathan has a swift hand, and can throw two balls at a time. His goal is to hit grampy with a fast ball. So, he goes in for the kill. Of course, grammy thinks its funny, because grampy misses the ball and ouch it stings, or it hits the closed door in the hallway, making a loud banging noise.

We had to put the basketball away for now, although, he thinks he's big enough to handle it. Holding it in the air, his hands go in a backward manner over his head. Its a little too heavy for him. He plays outdoors with a small ball, getting it in, no problem! No doubt in my mind that Nathan will play sports. He is the All-American boy, can recite the calls as the football is readied between his little legs, while he checks out grammy.
He knows all the stickers, like NFL. Besides playing cars, he likes fishing and car racing. Haven't introduced him to golf, yet.

One day when he was waiting for grampy to come home from work, he stood in front of the living room door holding the two balls in his hand, a small football and a baseball, and as grampy was climbing the stairs, Nathan couldn't wait anymore. He threw both of them at grampy at the same time, expecting him to catch them. Then, in excitement he started to jump up and down, yelling its grampy. (All that , as grampy opened the front door.)

When Nate runs out of something, he tells me to tell grampy to "buy some at the store". He knows what grampy is for. Grampy spoils him with chocolate milk, front loaders, and whatever Nathan wants. It will always be Grampy.