Soccer

The kids got thumped last night, and it didn't bother them one bit. I asked Olivia about it after the game, her face wrinkled up and she said "Daddy, soccer is just for fun" So I asked her if she had fun? Her face resumed its characteristic grin and said "oh YEAH, I love to play" Makes me wonder - when, where and how do we get our competitive edge? Why do some folks, like me, hate to lose, while other folks (my mom, my wife, my daughter) just seem to be happy playing? I can't remember ever having my Dad harp on me about winning, or doing my best - in my memory it was the opposite as I would fall into a serious funk if our team had lost a game. It was best just to leave me alone for a while so I could cool down and get some perspective. My folks attempted to get me to understand that doing your best was the ultimate prize, and if you won the game.. all the better. Clean solid effort. We learn late that there is always going to be someone faster, stronger, quicker, smarter than ourselves so a kid I thought I should win every game. We didn't and I burned many a weekend sulking. If last night is any indication, I don't think Olivia is going to have that problem. I'm proud of that.