Football is Bliss

Last night I finally got to play soccer. It had been exactly 7 weeks since I placed the holiest of balls at my feet and ran until I couldn't breath and I am happy.

I love playing soccer. It's my meditation, my gym, my therapy all rolled into one sweaty, ankle rolling ball. And 7 weeks without it was anguish.

Several years ago, I lived in a college town. A group would gather on the fields by my house and play ball everyday. It took almost a year before I joined them - all men, mostly foreign and much more talented than I ever hoped to be - when I finally got up the nerve, I ended up playing constantly. I will play until my body refuses. I can't run a mile, but I can play soccer for hours.

I haven't played for that long - picked up the game as an adult. This makes me a nervous player. I am convinced that every mistake is huge, that everyone is wondering who let me on the field. The reality is that I am pretty good player. Although I do play women's club, I have also played constantly with men - good men. So I am fast, have great angles and I can knock a full grown man on his ass without slowing down. I am also 5 ft tall - I win every call.

So last night I am playing with a team that I have never met. I know not one person on the field. They are all at least 10 years younger than me ( I am old too!) and a few play for State University. Yeah, I am freaked. I step on the field, take a few steps and score.

I love soccer.