spring soccer in Utah...playing in the storm...

I remember loving to play soccer in the rain. Slide tackling is so much better in the rain. The ball almost skips down the field like a smooth stone in a lake, making it a disadvantage AND an advantage at the same time. A little bit more adrenalin rushes knowing you can't see as well as the rain pelts your face. You're a little more nervous, but the fun nerves. Sometimes it's cold and sometimes it helps cool you down. Your socks and shoes are sopping wet and water squeezes through your cleats as you run. The wet grass clings to everything you have on along with sticking to your wet skin. Your uniform sticks to your body. You can taste the hairspray as the rain drips into your mouth.

It's awesome.
To play in.
It's definitely NOT as awesome to watch.

Spring soccer is often played in the rain.
This 2011 Spring, it has often been played in the bitter cold wind and snow.
And WATCHING has been a terrible option.

This was Alec after his game against Riverton. One I opted out of viewing. Call me a terrible mother, but I did it for him. He had a concert choir performance the very second after and I didn't want to embarrass him looking and smelling like a wet dog after sitting in the wind and snow. When he got in the car he looked like a frozen jolly green giant. He couldn't move his fingers and I laughed so hard when he said, "How am I going to sing like this?"
Like you can't sing cold?
Well, that's coming from my tone deaf self, maybe it's harder to sing cold? I actually don't know.

Soccer and Singing have not been Alec's 'thing' the last 3 years. He quit soccer when he had to choose between that and basketball. He only sings because it's a required class.
One more thing added to the list of 'lesson's from Alec' is that he TRIES everything.
He may not be the best at soccer, singing, football, cross country, or driving.
But, he tries it.
And, he always has fun doing it. And, he never quits. And, he learns something different every time. And, I love that he writes in his journal about all of them.
He may not do it twice but he teaches all of us to always try something once. Even if you're afraid and not the best, you try to do it anyway.

I know that Alec will always be able to live, play, run, and sing during life's storms. I know that he'll have fun doing it.
Because he tries to.
Sometimes you just have to try.