After years of playing soccer on teams that played hard but unfortunately never had a winning record (exception: your winter league foosball team where you won it all), this year was a milestone and a marvelous thing to behold.

Your U-12 team had an excellent season, going undefeated all the way except for the semi-final single elimination game where you lost by one goal to a tough team away in Pembrook, NH.  It could have gone either way and was a battle to the finish. A great game to watch.

I’ve enjoyed this season more than any other because the quality of play was at such a high level.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always enjoyed going to every game to see you, Emma, Molly, Jack, Camden and Ainsley play.  Every game is so much fun.  Grammy and I go to as many as we possibly can… and that’s a lot.  We never get enough!

But this year it was different.  You’re in seventh grade and we’re no longer watching little kids trying to learn the game… we’re watching young men who know what they’re doing and try really hard on every single play.  There’s a seriousness and an athleticism to the game now, a stress level that was never there before.  I’m sure you feel it, as do your teammates, because I feel it too just standing on the sidelines.  Yet despite the added challenges, you stepped up again this year and showed a level of interest, concern, dedication and hard work I’ve never seen before.

I respect and admire what you’ve done and want you to know that. I always tell you that after a game, but words are fleeting.  That’s why I like writing these blogs…. I can leave something behind for you to think about, laugh about, remember, learn from.

Reason # 1 why I’m proud of you  – You’re our first grandchild and because of that you blaze new trails on everything… the first to walk, the first to start school, the first to play a sport, the first to go to Middle School.  And the first to go through the challenges of being an adolescent, a pre-teen (only five months until you’re a teenager – what??!!) with the emotional challenges that come from growing older.  It’s not an easy time but your smarts and hard work and sense of humor will get you there and get you to the top.  Trust me. You’ve got everything it takes to be a winner all the days of your life.  So believe in yourself no matter what hurdles you face… and never let the turkeys get you down.

Reason # 2 – When I look back at what I was doing at your age, I never had the confidence to play sports – and my parents never wanted me to play (one contributed to the other I’m sure).  I would have been scared to death doing what you can do.  Stepping onto that field.  Being under stress in a game situation with an opponent bearing down and it’s up to YOU to make something good happen for your team.  People looking at you, being under pressure, needing to deliver. But you consistently rise to the occasion and make it happen. And you keep getting better.  I’m so proud of you.

In previous blogs I’ve talked about your defensive abilities on the field… that was never more evident than this year.  You may not get the attention and praise some of the guys get, but you know what, that’s the way it is throughout life.  Some get the limelight and others don’t… even though they should.  Read about Julian Edelman sometime or Tom Brady.  Most people didn’t believe in them… so that made them work even harder and overcome and prove to themselves what they were really made of. And it wasn’t just Edelman and Brady… It happened to me too, in different ways, at different times.

That’s why I was so happy when your Dad told me this season that one of your assistant coaches praised you in front of your coach and your teammates saying how well you understood and played the game and made a difference.  Boom-shaka-laka, that’s what I’m talking about.  You’re the best defensive player on the field – you understand the game and know how to use your smarts and your body to keep opponents from gaining an advantage.

So here’s to a great season, a winning season for Ben Clickman, a boy, a young man, I’m in awe of and so proud to call my grandson.