So this weekend my daughter's soccer team was in a tournament in Saskatoon and I must say it was interesting to say the least (from the terrible Saskatoon Inn hotel room... to the traffic!!! Who knew it would take 30 minutes to go 8 miles in Saskatoon!!!).
Anyways, back to soccer... as you can see, Lindsey is not only small for her age, but they were playing against older teams (see below image for size comparison and note that there were 3 players "on" Lindsey as she skillfully handled the ball)...
And here's a shot of one of the players literally "on" her in the corner (yes, Lindsey is in this picture if you look real close!)
So things are actually going along quite fine... our girls are playing well and even scoring some goals...
and Lindsey is doing her job defending and because she is super quick, the other team begins to get a tad frustrated and one play while running full force, the girl on the other team (not the girl in this picture)
gets outrun by Lindsey and in frustration pushes her from behind with both hands (totally unacceptable and punishable in almost all sports). We are all waiting for the whistle and red card while Lindsey flails, but refuses to go down. But no whistle, no card and Lindsey manages to stay up and keep running. So then the girl pushes her AGAIN even harder from behind sending Lindsey sailing! And still no whistle and no card!!!! So Lindsey's down hurt and there is finally a whistle, but no card. The girl that pushed her is standing over Lindsey when the ref finally approaches and eventually pulls out a yellow card (meaningless with no real consequences... Lindsey is removed from the game to recover while pushy girl gets to keep playing).
Thankfully Lindsey is okay (see pic above... love her attitude and resilience!!!) and after the game we find out that the girl that pushed her did not get a card for pushing, but rather for laughing and mocking Lindsey while she was down injured!!!!! SERIOUSLY??????!!!!!!! WHO DOES THAT????? Did your mother not teach you right from wrong?????
So later that night, Lindsey receives a beautiful package with this on the outside...
and inside is a circle album for her...
The package is from a super talented and generous lady named Dawn Hueser that I know from Saskatoon who has battled breast cancer and Lindsey had donated some hard earned money to a "Run for the Cure" for Dawn without ever meeting her. Dawn was especially touched by the gesture (having a stranger provide some much needed support touched her as she often felt a little alone in her battle) and she wanted to say thank you to Lindsey. The look on Lindsey's face as she met Dawn was PRICELESS... I didn't have my camera, but her smile is permanently etched in my memory :)
And I thought to myself that night...
"To the Saskatchewan Mother whose daughter intentionally shoved my daughter twice and then laughed when she was injured... I wish you knew the true joy that comes from a daughter who smiles and laughs because of sheer joy of sacrificially giving to others. There is no gold medal that can even begin to compare. May you and your daughter some day learn this truth."
3 comments:
Love your post. Sometimes it's hard to forgive when people can be so cruel but I know we have to pray for our enemies. Your daughter is so cute! I was touched by Dawn Hueser's story and creations. Hope you are doing good and feel better soon.
Although the ref did not card the girl for pushing Lindsey twice hopefully when she got home she had some repercussions from her parents. Way to go Lindsey - and congrats on being so generous when someone needs a little help and encouragement. You will be a great adult!
Linds - hugs & kisses to you. LOVE your positive attitude.
Al - miss U too much!!!
Brad - you need to fly your wife out to MB soon for a visit (hint hint).
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