Mr. Positivity

J. had his first indoor soccer game of the season tonight. He's playing with his old coach and a few players from his rec league and some new guys getting ready to transition next year to a higher level of play (classic). So the boys started off the game, many of them not even knowing each others' names. They were playing a team of boys a year older than they were, a team who had been playing together for a few years, and the team was a ability level a couple of steps higher than our team had ever played. Things didn't look good.

The boys held their own but by half time the other team was up 4 to nothing. J. went in as goalie for the second half and my heart dropped. Would he get discouraged as this very talented team continued to rack up goals? He did good on a couple of saves and then went to kick the ball out to his teammates. After a scramble for the ball, a teammate of J's kicked the ball to him in the goal box and J. reached down to pick it up - an apparent violation in Indoor soccer. The other team was given a direct kick, where they basically get to stand about 15 feet back from the goal and try to kick it in the goal. J. took his position and at the last second, Brad called to him to put his hands up. Number 7 from the other team took a few steps and then drilled the ball right at J's head. The ball deflected slightly off his hands but hit his face and neck hard enough to split his lip and leave marks on his neck from the stitching of the soccer ball. (He probably would have been knocked out cold had he not had his hands up.) He saved the goal but unfortunately as he was stunned and trying to catch his breath, another player caught the rebound and kicked the ball in the goal before J. could get his wits about him.

Brad was fortunately right by the goal box and motioned for the coach to pull J. from the game for a break. The trooper was back in about 5 minutes later, playing mid-fielder and hustling just like nothing had happened.

After the game and after making sure he was really ok, I asked him, "Do you know who that was who kicked the ball at you?"

He looked at me confused, "No."

I pointed at number 7, now talking with his mom and coach. It was Jacob Roloff, of "Little People, Big World" the TLC show about the Oregon family that lives just a few miles from us.

A huge smile came on J's face. "Cool. It's kind of like he autographed my face. Do you think they filmed it?"

My son, my hero. What an incredible attitude - the kid hasn't met a person he couldn't see the good in. While we don't hold anything against Jacob, I certainly could have understood my 10-year old being a bit put out with the kid who nearly knocked him out cold with the soccer ball. I am so proud of J. and the young man he is becoming. Let's just say the girl who ends up with this kid as a husband someday is going to be one lucky chick!