Our Competitive Nature

Last night was Ashley’s first Soccer game. It was the first time she would engage in a competitive environment that was deemed acceptable. For me, it was the next step in Ashley’s childhood. It was everything! So, As I drove half hazardly to Ashley’s game from downtown San Antonio, I honked at NCAA fans, screamed from within my car at all of the Pokie Joes on the road and then chuckled at the fact that I was all stressed out about her first game. Did John bring the camera? Did he grab the juices? Did he put the cute little matching bows I bought for her in her hair and will I actually get to this game before it’s over?

What is it about being a mom that makes us want to be so perfect or be there at every moment? For me, it’s two fold. It’s wanting to provide the very best for my child, ensuring they have every chance at being successful and doing things they really enjoy as well as rekindling similar childhood memories.

Once I finally made it to Ashley’s game, I couldn’t help but be a proud mom. To look at Ashley and see such innocence and pureness was very humbling but also very scary. It is at this age that they can truly have no worries and have a great time regardless of the score at the end of the game. It is during this time that competitiveness doesn’t get the best of them!
So, I took a second to enjoy this moment; this adventure into unchartered waters for I knew that not every day, every moment would be like this! And last but not least, I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that I was now officially a Soccer Mom! -- That is... a soccer mom without a mini-van!

I’ve posted this blog as a "virtual toast" to many, many fun years in this new phase for Ashley, in hopes that she will somehow always retain some of the inncocence she had during her first true competitive experience and continue to be a good sport through the good and the bad.