October Sunburn

My face hurts.

A lot.

Yes, I got a sunburn. In October.

The weather has just been strange over here in Taiwan.

Typically, September through December tends to be dry. This year, it has not.

Typically, while not great, the pollution is acceptable. This past week, it was not.

Typically, after our fall break, cooler weather arrives.

Evidently, that cooler weather either got lost on its way to Taiwan, or decided to take a vacation up north.

Combining the high air pollution and hot, sticky weather, created a less than comfortable environment for our varsity boy's soccer tournament last week. Fortunately, it rained enough Friday evening to wash the air.

But, the sun still made a strong case for itself Saturday at the JV games. So much, that it only took half a game to turn my face red. I meant to bring a hat, but as I walked out the door, I forgot it. I might have remembered it if it hadn't been 5:30am! And anyways, I was sure it was going to rain!

Boy, was I wrong!

Nine teams gathered at the Morrison campus in Kaohsuing, each hoping to walk away with the JV championship. Unfortunately, Jacob's team did not.

What they did receive, in my opinion, was even better.

So often, especially in high school sports, the emphasis is on winning. Now, don't get me wrong. Winning is great. I love it when my kids are part of a winning team. But, there is more to playing a sport than just winning.

Let's be honest. 

All my kids have played middle school, as well as high school sports. But, as time goes on the memory of those winning games, as well as the losing games begin to fade. Their importance in the grand scheme of life also begin to diminish.

The lessons learned through those sports, however, do not.

Persistence. Patience. Practice. Teamwork. Cooperation. Time management. Taking risks. Taking responsibility.  Sportsmanship.

The list could probably go on and on. 

Jacob played well. I was proud both of him and his team. They didn't give up. They played hard. 

In the end, having won two games and lost one, they earned a fourth place finish.

What they did earn, according to the 9 coaches, was the sportsmanship trophy. 

That just really resonates with me. 

The good feeling of first place will eventually fade. Their youth and soccer skills will also diminish, But, being a good winner and a good loser translates into all aspects of life. 

That mindset will never fade. 

The opponent in their final match had to leave to catch the train back to Taipei. They were forced to forfeit the game. Disappointed, Jake and his teammates asked to play another Morrison team just for the fun if it. To make it more interesting, everyone had to play a different position. 

  

Jacob has always wanted to try being the keeper.

I think he did a pretty good job.

But, I am just a little bit bias!