⚽ 10 Things Grateful, plus extra soccer #gratitudeandshit

We made it!

After a season of grit and a whoopin’ or two, we made the state playoffs. They assigned us in Round 1 to a remote outpost: East Wilkes. That’s in Ronda, N.C. That’s not a lady, that’s a town, although there was probably a handful of women named Ronda about.

We lost 8-4 in a crazy match that included eight goals from one player – and a view into the valley so breathtaking that I said, Damn, son, that’s a helluva view you guys have up here to the kid serving as ball-boy for the match.

I was grateful for one last game. I was grateful Remmi made it, hobbling in on crutches but in good spirits. I was grateful we fought back to within three, twice. I was grateful for the annoying siren they turn on when they score only rang out … well, eight times.

I was grateful that when it was over, the girls seemed pretty pissed.

We’d missed that this season. We were a little too happy-go-lucky when giving up 10 goals in a game. Knowing we could have won this one 12-8, girls started talking about when we could start training again. Lord willing, I can’t wait to join them.

What else am I grateful for? #gratitudeandshit is a great thing, friends. Let’s explore.

Is it NFL season yet?

1-Hope. For more goals. For another chance. For progress. For strength through adversity. For adversity, even. For online pizza coupons and cupcakes for someone’s birthday. For sales on soccer balls and unexpected Saturdays off.

2-A comfy chair for my morning meditation. A salt lamp to soften the mood. Birds right outside, who even drone out the whining dogs and backing-up trucks. For comfort so good I could almost fall asleep sitting up.

3-Patience. I know I have a long way to go. I know not all answers come when we want them. It isn’t easy to turn the other way and occupy yourself with what’s here, now, but it’s possible. Probable, even. This post is proof of it.

Must have football on my mind.

4-Connection. It’s come up before. But I don’t pine for what isn’t there. There’s so much possible in your every day, even if the connection isn’t with someone else, but with nature. Or stillness. Or yourself. Or the natural stillness in yourself.

5-Opportunities to become valued at work. There’ve been rough moments in my year here. I’ve been resolved to keep my head down, work hard, and bring my best. Nothing is ever guaranteed, but I finish this week feeling good again about what I contributed.

6-Reconnecting with friends. Sometimes it’s in big ways and other times small. Sometimes it’s for the long haul; other times, the bond fades as easily as it returned. Each time, I feel like it’s doing just what it was intended to do.

Such a pretty city. #clt

7-A day off to rest and recoup. They don’t come often. And usually, I jam them up with other stuff to do. But that’s my choice. Jammed up with stuff you choose just has a different flavor to it. Like, light on calories without tasting like it’s light on calories.

8-Leftover candy. I found some from Easter. Score! And for some reason, Hayden’s not eating her chocolate bunny. I mean, what’s a dad to do? I didn’t hunt that thing down for it to go to waste. A dad’s gotta do what a dads gotta do.

9-Car conventions with Camdyn. It’s been a while, but it reminds me of stuff I used to do with my dad. All three of the girls have accompanied me. It kind of feels like dad’s around when we all go too. I can dig that.

Me and Hayden after a Hornets game.

10-The pizza Madison gave me. It’s pizza. That says it all. It was also Totino’s, on a day I was running around and didn’t have time for food. I took her to work, and she came to the car with my favorite pizza ever. Know what’s better than Totino’s? Totino’s with love.

What about you? What happened to make you wear that #gratitudeandshit grin lately?

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