We Came To Watch Her Play Poem by Jim Yerman

Ava's mom, her dad, two of her brothers, a soon-to-be sister in law
her cousin with his girlfriend and Nana and I all came….
to watch Ava (her team's goalie) play this season's last soccer game.

In spite of a cool wind blowing and a sprinkling of rain
our excitement on the sideline could not be contained.

There were high expectations when the season had begun.
but, alas, Ava's team this year lost more games than they won.

And though we'd love to see her team win every game along the way
as a family we are happy just watching Ava play.

Cheering her and her team on…feeling happy, proud, enthused.
Celebrating with her when they win while supporting her when they lose.

And our family is not the only family to share this point of view
If you happen to look along the sidelines you'll find…it's something families do.

Perhaps besides supporting Ava…in a way we're reliving our youth…
remembering a time we miss…
and though that may be partially true…it is much more than this…

I think it's because we know there will come a time (as it has for all of us before)
when Ava takes off those big goalie gloves and doesn't play soccer any more.

When she looks back to her soccer games…to a day…perhaps just like today
she won't remember how many games she won or lost
but she will remember who came to watch her play.