Actions Speak Louder than Words

           "Yell to start," is what my Father would tell me, screaming across the empty soccer field. He liked to let me think I had an advantage, but I never did. As soon as I yelled, "start", I started running, full speed towards the goal, towards my father. As I ran, I felt the wind whipping the hair about. I felt the grass underneath my cleats, helping me to grip the ground , that way I wouldn't stumble. But, most of all I felt the adrenaline pumping through my veins just as I approached the goal. At the last second I had to choose my corner, this would decided if I made the goal or not. With the goal line in sight I picked my corner and let the ball fly, confident I had scored. But of course my dad blocked it; I always had to miss.

            This was the relationship I had with my Father, a.k.a my coach. My whole childhood I wanted to impress my dad, and the way to do that was through soccer, his sport. As Brad Manning stated, "His words were physical." Not that he never said he loved me, but I think we connected more when we were playing soccer. He would constantly practice with me, tell me what I was doing wrong, and push me to be better. With every comment, I felt closer to him. Maybe he didn't leave me notes in my lunch bag, but that's okay. "Our communication was physical, and that is why we did things like [play soccer]."