danielle noah

I played soccer for one year of my entire life.

3rd Grade

My glory years

Except I was bad, really bad.

I couldn’t quite get the coordination down of running and kicking at the same time. Plus when people are running at you or a soccer ball is flying towards you, the basic reaction is to avoid it at all cost. I WAS good at that.

My dad attended every one of my games faithfully. I am sure my mom did as well, but I cannot remember her at any of the games for the life of me. Probably because my dad was so memorable… He would get so into the game, standing on the sidelines, “cheering”, trying to turn my elementary school co-ed team into Manchester United. Bless his heart, but he was a bit of a “stage mom”. More into the game than the Coach Jordan and yelling what to do with large hand gestures. But because of his… enthusiasm(?!)… I wanted to be better and try harder.

However, I was still hopelessly bad and my Coach wasn’t starting me or pushing to get me on the field. If I was lucky, I might get 30 seconds at the end of the game if we were guaranteed a win.

Editor’s Note: Don’t feel sorry for Coach, I really was awful!

I was counting down the days until the season was over but I also wanted to make my dad proud. I learned to follow Coach around like a shadow. I was cheering on my team by her side and ready to go into the game *just in case* with an attitude that said “winner”. Most games it worked too, Coach would put me in because I was ready (not really able!) and I would push out there like I was David Beckham then avoid the ball as best as I could. She would pull me out within a minute and I would be back at her side asking to go in again.

On one of the bus rides home Coach stood up at the front of the bus to give us a talk after a humiliating loss. I don’t remember what she said before or after but I will never forget what she said in the middle…

If you guys want to be good players then you should start acting like Danielle. She isn’t the best person on this team but she is always close to me ready to go in. And although she doesn’t get much playing time when she isn’t on the field she is cheering and supporting the team.

I was elated! I thought I was a star. It took me about 10 years to realize that little speech was slightly demeaning but I’ve only recently accepted how terrible I was. I have come to realize that her speech spoke worlds about my character and set a tone for my life. I can’t be the best at everything but I can try and give it my all. With the right attitude, eagerness, and readiness I might even get some playing time.

If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat. – John Ortberg