Today I experienced what it is like to be a soccer mom, or in my case a soccer grandfather. After picking up my granddaughter, 3, from preschool, I picked up my two grandsons, 10 and 8, from an after-school Bible School that they attend at the public school they attend. We came home and after a dinner, which my daughter-in-law had partially pre-made, we picked up a neighbor youth on the Dairy farm across the highway and all five of us went off to my 8 year old’s and friend’s soccer practice. After about an hour there, we left my 8 year old grandson and the neighboring youth, who were to be picked up by the neighbor’s parents, and my 10 year old grandson and my granddaughter and I went off to my 10 year old grandson’s soccer practice. While he was practicing soccer my granddaughter played on the playground until I finally talked her into walking through a homemade prairie. This stroll was the highlight of the soccer trips. After my 10 year old grandson’s practice we went back, picked up 8 year old grandson at the neighbor’s house, and got back home about the same time my daughter-law got home. My three year old granddaughter also plays soccer but fortunately had no practices tonight. Tomorrow I guess it is baseball practice.
On their acres of land they have a spot for a nice garden, and my grandchildren have interest in reading, fishing, writing and just playing. But with school, soccer, baseball and other activities like 4-H there is not much room for much these days. The three year old is still somewhat free. In between picking her up and the boys we had time to go to a local bakery for some donuts, coffee and chocolate milk. But soon she will be four and her freedom will be more limited.
But who am I to criticize this fast lifestyle of the modern parents and children? I am always doing myself and not always doing what I say I should do, read, exercise, fish, and reflect and such. So being a soccer papa for a day reminds me of my commitment, reflected on the two sides of the web domain: the Worm representing my commitment to Growing Renewable Affordable Food, and Nonviolent representing my commitment to social justice and peace by action and word. Being a soccer papa for a day reminds me to practice what I preach, slow down and smell the flowers.
Being a grandfather is a real blessing, and I enjoy and learn from the time being with my grandchildren, the Graf Kids. But I missed my garden today and when I return home tomorrow I look forward to being the “worm man” rather than “soccer papa.”
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