One of my favorite things about Ethan's personality is his ability to admit error, and move on. He can usually see a situation through someone else's eyes, and really does take it into consideration. He wears his heart on his sleeve, but is still wise and competitive enough to take self correction.
When he lost all his confidence 2 years ago, (please see blog entry "Courage Through The Pain) I knew it was going to be a battle to get it back. This spring was a constant reminder for him that he was two years behind his peers in skill, plus the fear of injury on top of it. He struggled daily to find his place and his role on the team.
Before his injury, Ethan played mid-field and was good at it. He had the skill to support his forwards, and the speed to get back to help the defence. He could score, or he could get back to clear the ball. With missing two seasons of soccer, his team mates skill improved, and his stayed the same, minus confidence. Time to find his new role, and leave his old one behind.
Over the weekend it all started to sink in. I had been telling him all season to use his size instead of speed. Plant your weight so their footwork doesn't work. Be tall out there and embrace your height. Use the skills you have, the rest will come with time. He finally did it, and he found his role.
He wasn't able to get his feet on the ball a lot, but he was able to go where his team mates asked him to be, to support them. He was able to shield his player that did have the ball....
He was able to screen the opposing team's goalie when we had a corner kick..... (Now on a side note here, this was my growing moment as a Mom. The kid that screens the goalie is a pest. They always irritate me! So, I was so proud and so embarrassed that it was my kid, all at the same time! :)
He got shoved a lot...
But had the courage to shove back when needed....
He was the front person during the opposing teams corner kicks, and stood firm to help protect his goalie....
Sometimes he got in the way of his own team mate....
And sometimes he downright missed the ball.....
But no matter what, he was always there to support and encourage his team mates....
and relish in their awesomeness.....
These last couple months I saw him take another huge step up into young manhood, and many a times I was teary just watching him struggle through.
In the end he was rewarded with a bronze medal....
He learned to bring his "A Game"....
He made a "pile" of new friends.....
And lets face it, he might not be the kid with the fanciest footwork, speediest feet, or strongest kicks, but clearly he is the kid with the coolest of all last names... :)
Bud, I am so proud of you for your hard work and determination. I love you so, so much.
Now, please excuse me as I go have a nap. It's been a long spring... :)
Oh, on another HUGE side note, all of the really clear awesome photos were taken by my friends from Pro Sports Photography and S & L Photography. Thank you so much!!
If you get a minute, here is the link to there websites... :)
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