Friday, October 16, 2009

My Soccer Fanatic


Ever since Shane joined our family, he's existed in his older brother's shadow. It was never intentional. Bobby just has one of those outgoing, hard-to-ignore personalities. What can I say? Older brother provides pages of writing material.
Midway through soccer season, the sibling dynamic has changed. Both boys started soccer this year, though Bobby could have played for the last two years. And while Bobby still lacks that aggression to steal the ball away from the other team, Shane has been a soccer dynamo since day one.
The kid averages three goals a game.
He dribbles with both feet.
He insists on wearing his soccer cleats and shin guards to all of Bobby's practices as well...and actually scrimmages with the older boys, holding his own.
Shane falls apart when the fields are closed due to rain. Stomps the ground if the soccer ball sails wide of the goal. He would play day and night if he could.
And I'm thrilled my little guy has found something that he excels at, that he even outshines his brother at. As my mom said at the beginning of the season, "Shane needs this."
I couldn't have put it better myself.