A Match is Made

A week ago, my younger son started playing soccer. My daughter took him to his first practice because I was sick. 

As I perused the pictures she sent me, it was obvious how much he enjoyed playing. My daughter barely saw him the entire hour he played because he was running around so much. He was having a blast with his new buddy.

This soccer program is a program for children with special needs.

My younger son has ADHD. 

His ADHD causes him to have a difficult time paying attention at times. With this soccer program, each child is matched with a buddy.

This is perfect for him because he has someone with him at all times. Their buddy is with them each and every second. The coach gives them different drills to work on, and they have free run of a large field. 

Tonight, I took both of my sons there myself.

I was a little apprehensive because in the past five years, other than a couple of short park stops, I have not done any activity outside with both of the boys without having someone else with me.

This was our first time as the Three Musketeers since the summer of 2017. 

 As soon as we got out of the van, my older and autistic son, Xavier, wanted to run right to the park. 

It was interesting attempting to get him to walk with me to take his brother onto the soccer field, but I stood my ground, and modeled my verbal words on his talker. I was persistent.

“First, we will stay with your brother for a bit, and then you can swing.”

He kept attempting to walk to the park, but I stood my ground.

My boy, Xavier can be intense, but in all honesty, he gets it from me.

But we did it!

His brother immediately found his buddy, and they jumped right into practice.

It was then that I had an idea.

We had given Xavier a chance to try out T-ball, and he wasn’t interested. 

Although a few years ago he actually enjoyed playing in this very same soccer program.

 As we typically do, we would break up the time with some swinging, his preferred activity, and then continue with a bit of soccer as well. 

A goal has always been to introduce something new to him.

Even if it looks quite obvious that he will not be enthralled, I find it important for him to get involved in other activities besides his favorite three: swinging, water play, and watching music videos, books, or ASMR food eating on his tablet.

Each activity or sport we expose him to presents beneficial skills that will help him gain independence, learn teamwork, show patience, and get a different kind of exercise. In addition, it gives him the chance to meet new people, and develop new bonds.

So, my idea was to ask if we could have Xavier participate today, and if he showed interest, to sign him up after a three year hiatus.

We have worked very hard during these three years on following directions and safety in public.

It was time to try again.

So I asked and was met with zero hesitation.

In fact, it was exactly the opposite.

A mere minute passed after one of the coaches approved my request when suddenly a kind gentleman came up and introduced himself, a bright smile on his face as he introduced himself.

His name was Michael.

Another sign.

Michael is not only my husband’s name, but one of Xavier’s favorite Registered Behavior Technicians too.

Of course, Xavier needed a little coaxing, but before I knew it, he was kicking the ball around for a spell. I enthusiastically encouraged him to continue to kick the ball as his buddy and I tag teamed kicking the ball to him.

After requesting the swing, I asked Michael if he would be able to get to know him a little better and follow us to the swingset. After checking with the coach, he happily agreed.

Swinging is Xavier’s happy place. He was in his element.

As he swung as high as he possibly could, he would quickly take his hands off the swing as he expertly balanced himself midair so he could get the feeling of flying. When he does this, it is a mere thirty seconds, but to this mama’s heart it feels like an hour! 

No wonder I have all the silver hairs!

His golden curls shone brightly as the sun reflected off his sweet head. The rays glinted off his hair, creating sparkles that shone like gold dust.

And his squeals… oh how precious they were!

The delight he had in swinging was quite evident as he laughed the best belly laugh. It’s the kind that comes from deep within your soul. The kind that makes any mother feel warmth well up in her heart as she sees her child’s stresses dissipate into the wind.

Suddenly, this never ending week of four hours of sleep a night, anxiety, constant shrieking, early morning alarms, crying, and accidents were a thing of the past.

This happiness right here made up for it all.

Just like that.

After a bit, we returned to the field again.

This time, we sought out his brother as well. Xavier watched intently as he was running around nonstop with his buddy.

It was then that Xavier grabbed his buddy’s hand, started walking toward him, and kicked the ball around some more.

“Well, now you are a buddy.” I told Michael. 

Just like that, a new match was made.