Aidan

Aidan is playing his first season in club soccer. And since we arrived here late, the only spot available for him was on a U11 team. Completely undeterred by the difference in size and strength, our scrappy little boy has been playing his heart out. Often on the sidelines when we are chatting with other parents they ask which boy is ours and we reply-that little guy; the one who keeps getting knocked over. But everytime, Aidan pops back up and throws himself back in the game which is earning him reputation among the other parents for being so tough. And now, there is a whole orchestra of "Go Aidan!" as he runs across the field.

Aidan was really proud of the nickname "Kaka" that the coaches from the British Soccer Camp dubbed him with last season. (not so much for playing soccer with Brazilian like finesse but more because of the hair)

Four guys on him and he still manages to push through a hole to shoot and score!

But as proud as I am of his soccer playing self, I am most delighted with the person that he consistently shows himself to be. Full of integrity and thoughtfulness, with a giving and generous heart. We had a garage sale a couple of weeks ago and Aidan was trying to raise money for a remote controlled helicopter that he has had his eye on so he was trying to sell his old skateboard. There was a a young hispanic boy who had his eye on the skateboard, but his father told him they couldn't spend the $5 for it. When I turned around a few minutes later, Aidan was kneeling by his skateboard peeling off the price sticker and giving the skateboard to the little boy. Athletic skills are over emphasized and highly sought after, but a man of character is priceless.