A Lesson In.... what?

Winter is always too long, if you ask me. But, this Winter was SOOOO long! Josh's hip injury (that happened at a tournament over the holidays) kept him off the soccer field and in the physical therapy room for way too many weeks (sixteen)! He was a trooper and survived the torture, but Jer and I worried. For a thirteen year old boy that has been on the soccer field since age four, it was just as mental as it was physical for him to stay away. We tried to attend as much of his team events as we could, but to go to a game and sit on the bench was worse for him.  There were two different times when the therapist gave him the okay to go back but only at 50%. Both times he came away hurting and it set him back. His hip continued to heal with all the therapy and stretching, but at the same time he was growing like a weed. His back started hurting and locked up on him on two different occasions causing him to be in a lot of pain. His poor muscles couldn't keep up with his bone growth and were pulled so tight that he kept getting hurt. The therapists have done some serious magic on his fragile little giant body. He's had heat, ice, massages, bone popping, stretching, ultra sound and shock treatment. At one point the therapists put a "fragile" label on his chest. Each time we went, Josh went with the hopes of good news. Any good news. Even just an okay to participate in gym at school was a step toward healthy.

We honestly have spent as many hours in this room than we would have on the soccer field. I've decided that to be a physical therapist, you have to have a great sense of humor and a positive attitude seven days a week. The whole crew is hilarious and Josh and I always walk away laughing.

About two weeks ago, we were told to go ahead and let Josh go to training - but again at 50% and eventually at 75%. He did okay. Each move is stressful for me to watch. He made the first couple of training sessions but lasted only about an hour before feeling pain. He continued going to therapy, participating in everything with his team and being faithful to all his stretches. Finally, he was okay to play in a game. He played Monday, April 23 for the first time in months. He only got about 15 minutes each half in order to not push our luck. His coach has enough experience to know where to play him and for how long considering the injury and the time off. The best part of that game was on the way home when Josh said he had no pain.

On Tuesday, April 24 he went to training. This was some crazy training and there were several drills that made me anxious (leap frog, piggy back relay, cartwheels...). But, he did it. And he wasn't in pain the next day. Sore muscles, but no injury.

On Wednesday, April 25, he went to physical therapy. We were told we can go two weeks before he has to go back! Yay!

On Thursday, April 26, we had a game in Herriman against the Gladiators. The weather was perfect soccer weather. Josh was feeling good and the team was ready to play. Okay, not really. He was feeling good, but the team had a slow start. They looked terrible. So, Josh got out there and tried his best. But, he wasn't really having a great game either. It was like there was a full moon or something. Everyone was off their game. Josh's boot came off in the middle of a play and he had possession of the ball... he left his cleat in the middle of the field and continued the play. So stinking funny! At the beginning of the second half we were down 2-1. Josh tried dribbling through a couple of players that were on him. One of the players went down on the ground but Josh didn't slow down. There was no foul committed, but the ref apparently didn't like his aggressiveness and gave him a yellow card. I am a spaz of a mom and a spectator so I couldn't help but cheer at the card. Next thing I know, the ref is carding our coach. And then - he gives him a red and throws him out! We found out later that the coach was defending Josh and said to the ref that it was "unintentional." That got the first card. When coach questioned the card, he pulled the red one.

So now our coach is gone and Josh is on a yellow card. The boys start getting a little fired up. This is good. It takes a lot for our boys to get fired up. We tie the game. Then we score again. And again. Can you believe it? We are up 4-2.

Gladiators pass the ball long and their fastest forward gets it and has a breakaway. Josh is right behind him and all he can think it to stop the play - don't let him score. And without realizing how much he has grown and that he is two steps behind the player, he reaches out to pull on his jersey. This, by the way, happens a lot and is rarely called a foul if your hands are down. Josh's hands weren't down. He meant for them to be. ;) He totally clocked the kid and took him down from behind (horse collar). Straight red worthy. We all knew it was coming. He was already on a yellow. Josh went to the player to make sure he was okay, but the ref wouldn't have it. He lifted the yellow and then the red and told Josh to get off the field.

 So, let's back up a little. Josh has been out of the game for .. how long? A long time. Too long. So I was a little excited to have him playing again. And then to go from losing to winning. And then he got a yellow. I was happy to see him be aggressive. So when the red card came - I cheered. Proud of my boy. Not proud of the play or that the other player may have been hurt. Proud that Josh got his first red card and that he sacrificed himself to stop the play. Apparently, the other coach thought I was cheering about the injured player. Really? C'mon. Is any soccer mom really going to cheer when someone gets hurt?  I named him "Coach of the Year" for being such a dumb shi* and in the end teaching his team poor sportsmanship by not having them shake hands with our team.

 

Unfortunately, they scored on the free kick. But, we still won 4-3. Down a player and a coach. Take that Gladiators. So Josh was asked to leave the field immediately and was suspended for today's game in Park City. That part was tough. We couldn't even attend the game today to support our team. So, they played today without him and without their head coach. They went. They played. They conquered - 6-0! Rock on USA! We play Brigham City on Monday and I'm thinking the fire has been lit in our boys.

From therapy to red card. I love soccer.