Soccer PaPa
At the end of February, my life has changed. No more 9 to 5 for me, every day is a vacation as retirement has officially kicked in!
My blog has been mainly devoted to our experiences on some small islands in southwest Florida, Sanibel and Captiva Island. While I hope to still visit and share more experiences from this magical place, I will be sharing other trips and experiences as we continue to navigate along Life's Highway.
Before, it seemed like I only wrote about the annual trip to that special place. My intentions were to share a bit of humor and to memorialize some of our precious memories and life's lessons we learned along the way.
Most recently, I have become a Soccer PaPa. No, I don't drive a minivan, I'm not overly vocal when sitting in the stands, and I'm not jumping up to dispute the referees calls (although I have questioned the lack of a call from time to time). My gosh, since when has soccer become wrestling at the Chase?
Two of our six grandkids are now playing soccer. This makes NaNa most happy because it allows her to live vicariously through them. NaNa always wanted to play two things when she was younger. The drums and soccer. As far as the drums go, I guess her parents didn't consider them as a good pairing with the Tuba her brother played. Most likely because it wouldn't be a fitting accompaniment to playing polka. NaNa's Dad wanted her to play the accordion. Yep, that fits the Polka profile. Then regarding soccer, the Catholic Soccer Association only had boys soccer when she was growing up, so she of course got dragged to the games while her brothers played. You can imagine her joy when the girls decided to play.
Taylor (16) and Skylar(8) both play. Skylar is in her first year and after scoring her first goal a few weeks ago she is now hooked. She no doubt looks up to her sister Taylor, who is in her Sophomore year in high school and playing Junior Varsity and Varsity soccer with the high school team. Taylor started playing at a younger age than Skylar and to watch the growth and development has been amazing not just in the development of soccer skills but in the growth as a caring, compassionate person.
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| Taylor after ankle injury |
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| Skylar 1st year soccer |
This year has been tough on Taylor, at the end of March she suffered a severe sprain on her ankle which took her out of action for close to a month. Just as we thought things were beginning to get back to being normal, disaster strikes again. On May 1st at an away game while playing in the second half of a Varsity game, she takes a pass and is headed downfield along the sideline. An opposing player body checks her in the back, they both become tangled up and end up falling and rolling down the sideline. The opposing player gets up, Taylor does not. Our hearts sank. Not long after that the calls from across the field “GET HER MOM” they help Taylor up and lay her down on a bench on the sideline. The crowd is silent and in the distance you can hear the faint siren from across town. The siren is getting louder, and it becomes more evident where it is headed.
So on May 1,2023, Taylor gets a series of first in her life. (hopefully first and last) She gets her first ride in an Ambulance, her first experience with Morphine and Propofol and her first dislocated elbow.
As we are waiting at the ER they are allowing 1 person at a time to go back and see her. It becomes very clear that the Morphine has kicked in by the tone in her voice and comments being made, some of which would have been down right comical if not for the severity of the injury. It was reported that while she is being wheeled into the Emergency Room she's singing the National Anthem!
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| A first she soon won't forget |
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| Taylor thinking about singing the National Anthem! |
The outreach from her friends, teammates, and the coach were very touching. When Taylor got hurt her best friend (Ava) came to us in tears because Taylor was hurt. She was so upset all NaNa could do was hug her. Aiden her boyfriend was there with us in the ER.
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| Leaving the hospital |
The doctor is in the room explaining what is about to happen. They will put her under with Propofol and then reset her elbow. He said he wants her to think about her happy place like a vacation place that makes her very happy. She immediately says Sanibel and goes on to tell him about a rare shell (Imperial Venus) she found while there and that her PaPa takes her there. Taylor was 9 years old when she found that shell. At that moment, I feel my emotions about to get the best of me.
None of us wants to see our loved ones hurt, and I believe most of us want to feel like we have had an impact on our loved one's lives. I know NaNa has had a big impact on all the grandkids. Taylor had even turned in some recent Artwork project at school, where the assignment was to do a portrait of a person that has made an impact on them and would be remembered 20 years from now.
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| Taylor's portrait of NaNa |
I begin writing my blog years ago to share experiences, document the memories and share life's lessons. While some for my own personal gratification, most for the loved ones that I will someday leave behind. That moment in the ER confirmed my impact in Taylor's life.
On the mends? It's been just a few days into the healing process that will most likely take several weeks. Not just body but mind. She has told her Momma that it has been some of the worst pain she has experienced in her life. She is done for the season and now the question remains is she done with soccer forever?
Speaking with her mom on the phone the other day, I asked her if she thought back to the time when Taylor was eight years old if she ever thought she would be who she is today. Her answer “Absolutely” In her early years' anxiety made Taylor doubt things, but she was also very determined and once her mind was set on something there pretty much was no changing it. Determined and driven is something that still follows her today.
Time will only tell what these recent events will do to shape Taylor's future. She is often the hardest critic on herself. One thing we want her to know as this event sets her up for another one of life's lessons. You are not a failure, You play with passion, you care for others and no matter what you decide to do in your future we stand behind you.
We all love you very much! Taylor's four-year-old cousin Lucas, is Taylor's biggest fan. Those two have a special bond with each other. Lucas was at her game. Lucas told his mom after Taylor got hurt “He bets Taylor needs him and misses him, and he'll beat up anyone who hurts her”
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| Lucas future Soccer player? |
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| Hmmn, Looks like the right arm! |
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| Bond between these two! |
I recently came across a video clip on FB. It is an interview from Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucs. There is a link to the video below, it's short and worth a watch, another Lifes lesson.
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