February 21, 2021
My Heart Sank Today
I finally got to see my daughter play in a collegiate game today. It was the first time I got to see her play since she left for college last August. The fall season was canceled and the spring season has been scaled back to select scrimmages. Covid has changed so many things including things that I used to complain about and now I’m missing those moments terribly.
I’ve been a soccer mom for as long as I can remember. I have three kids and all three kids played soccer. My daughter is the youngest and she has been at the soccer field ever since she could sit on my hip. She started out on the sidelines watching her older brothers play when she was just months old and then ran out on the field herself at three years old and has been playing ever since. Not knowing that I would miss traveling to soccer games so much, I complained about the driving and the time on the road and now I would happily trade hours on the road versus not being able to see my kids play at all.
So today I was so excited that I could go see my daughter play even though I had to stay behind the fence line because no spectators were allowed in the stadium. I found my perch behind the fence line and got my camera out ready to capture the moments of day. She got into the game and she was looking good and I was getting some good shots. A few short moments later, my heart sank. I captured the moment when she went down. And because of Covid, I couldn’t reach her. I wasn’t allowed anywhere near her so I went to the car and waited for the game to end. I caught a glimpse of her walking off the field. I sent her a text message letting her know that I was there and that I love her and to contact me as soon as possible.
I came home and took a self portrait because I was so stressed. It’s hard to see a loved one take a fall especially when you can’t help her back up. The road to D1 soccer has been tough and challenging for our family and not without our share of injuries. But we are a family and families stick together and persevere.
xoxo,
Stephanie
