the BIG 10 ... and I'm not talking about basketball!

As retirees long standing (now) ... every day is what used to be our "weekends".... appreciated for the slower pace, do what we want schedules they represented.  NOW, we have those days when we need to look at the calendar or an electronic device to determine the day of the week it is.
BUT OCCASIONALLY ... there is a highlight to that good ole fashioned weekend that reminds us how special they used to be.

WE motored over to Bakersfield to spend time with the boys, and even more specifically ... watch the grandkids play indoor soccer. On separate teams (age brackets) of the same name (Bombers) ... and BOTH wearing #10 jersey .... chosen by their daddy who ALSO wore the #10 in his young days of the sport!  BOTH kids were excited and prepared, to get onto the court & expel some serious energy.   Addyson, being new to the sport, lacks the skill that will come with experience, but makes up for it in drive & enthusiasm.  She's ever-ready to get in the middle to mix things up.
Anthony, in his 2nd year of action, exhibits the finesse of the sport, but is less aggressive to be in the thick of things.  BOTH possess the team spirit, and BOTH keep on ticking til the clock runs out!  It was a great way to spend family time ... from lunch in advance- to toasting good sportsmanship with frozen yogurt afterward.
It reminded me of the MANY years of spectatorship I spent with their daddy & his brother ... both having started the game before they turned 5.  The beginning roots were planted thru AYSO and continued through club teams playing year-round and high school seasons in the bitter cold & heavy fog!!  I was a dedicated parent, and have a lot of great memories (and injury stories) as mental trophies.

SPORTS on this level are a great way to keep kids busy & in better physical shape than their game-box counterparts.  The lessons learned about team work, sportsmanship, and discipline translate DIRECTLY into the real world as they grow and mature into adults.

Winning is not as important as learning to work with others toward a common goal ... learning that hard work pays off in the long run.... learning that sometimes the success of your game is not necessarily reflected by the ending score.