Soccer Trophy

Kids Soccer.

Charis wanted to sign up for it this summer. Jet and I had a hard time getting her there at first (as I blogged on my myspace account) because she didn't want to go. Then she had a sudden change of heart and loved it. Then came the big skin rash of '07 that kept her from going for 2 weeks. And then... there was last night. The final one. The big picnic. And the Trophy presentation!!

Jet and I had refrained from telling her about the trophy the entire soccer season so we could capitalize on the Kodac moment...the REAL surprised look of acceptance.

I envisioned it being like a graduation moment. They call her name. The coach hands her the trophy with one hand and reaches out to shake her hand with his other one. Everyone claps. She smiles. I take a dozen pictures. Somewhere in the distance soft music would be playing. Ahh, what a moment.

My mom even called me today to make sure that I get video. "In case Charis ever gets really big into sports, it would be fun to have her receiving her first sports trophy." Yeah sure. I'll try.

The picnic is supposed to start at 6pm. At 5:30, I'm getting everything ready. Trying to juggle it all until Jet gets home. Everything's going well. coming together. falling into place. The girls are all quietly playing. But then, screams break the silence. Loud ones.

I'll leave out the details of the next 10 minutes. But I'll just say biting was involved. And it definitely wasn't my "Best Mom" moment. (and no, I wasn't the one doing the biting). Everyone's crying. I'm at my wit's end. And then Jet walks in. "Welcome home, honey!" I'm ready to forego the whole soccer moment. Thunder sounds in the distance.

By the calming presence of my dear husband, we make it to the soccer field on time.

Fast forwarding... It's 7pm. We've just finished up the child vs. parent soccer match and have been eating for a little while. Sky turns dark. Very dark. Thunder rolls, loudly. And tiny drops of rain tease us. Every parent looks to the sky. We all know that when it breaks, it's going to be bad. (the night before we had hail accompany the thunder storm). Charis starts to complain about her stomach, clutching her little tummy.

We start to pack up, in anticipation of the coming storm. Yet wanting to remain long enough to get the Kodac moment. Coach Joe walks over, handing Jet a box with a picture of a trophy on it. Your kidding me?! THIS is the big moment? The finale?! Jet gives it back to him, sort of nodding over at Charis. And Joe, being a parent of 5, completely understands and kneels down, handing it to Charis and congratulating her. She turns away... complaining about her stomach, refusing to even take the box. Another parent makes a quip about the safety of handing out metal trophies in a lightning storm. But I can't even laugh, my mind is frantically trying to figure out how to even get a picture out of this.

But before I can gather my thoughts, the sky opens up! All the little soccer players scatter. And we make a break for the car.

The 2007 soccer season is officially over in our home. And there was no great trophy moment. No happy surprised look. No Kodac picture. Bum-mer. But we did get some hurried pictures at our home of our little pro-athlete before she went to bed. :)