Donation Drive: Our Cleats Are Heading to Colombia
Our school soccer season has officially come to an end.
If you’re involved in team sports, you probably know what I’m feeling right now.
This team was the best I’ve ever been a part of, and I’m incredibly proud of everything we accomplished together. We lost in the final of the district tournament, and the disappointment is still fresh. It’s hard not to think about all the “what ifs” and missed chances.
But despite the loss, I am grateful. I owe so much to my teammates and coaches for an incredible journey. Playing alongside them has been unforgettable, and I know these memories will stay with me for a lifetime. I feel so fortunate to have shared these moments with such amazing people.
I first fell in love with soccer in kindergarten when I watched a friend score a goal. It was a moment that sparked a passion I’ve carried for over 13 years. Dribbling past defenders, setting up teammates for goals, and celebrating together – nothing else gives me the same level of joy and excitement.
Of course, soccer hasn’t always been easy. I’ve cried after many losses, and each defeat is hard to swallow. But I’ve set a rule: I get myself 72 hours to reflect, feel the pain, and learn from my mistakes. Once I identify what went wrong and decide what I need to work on, I will force myself to let it go and move forward. This loss with my school friends will be especially tough to shake, but I will do my best. After a short break, my club soccer season starts, and I need to be ready for new goals.
Today, though, I am still in that 72-hour period, so I’m taking time to reflect and get ready for the upcoming season.
To mark the end of our high school soccer season, Craig and I are organizing a cleats donation drive. We’ve collected gently used cleats from friends, cleaned and dried each pair, and replaced any worn insoles. They look almost new and are ready for a new home!
With help from a family friend, we connected with a school principal in Colombia, who introduced us to a coach running a soccer program for underserved kids. Last week, we received an email confirming they were ready to accept our donation. We’re excited to know these shoes will soon be enjoyed by new players who’ll love them as much as we did.
As I wrap up this post, I’m still processing the season’s end, so I’ll keep it brief. By next week, Craig and I will be fully recharged and ready to share more inspiring stories.
To everyone finishing up their fall sports seasons, keep pushing if you’re still in it! And if your season is over, take a well-deserved break. And let’s all come back stronger.
With love,
Thomas
