Football :: A Huddle Of Blessings
Since my son Maison could walk, he loved playing sports. His first sport was basketball, and he played his first game at 4 years old. His attention span went from dribbling the ball to running in the stands because he saw my brother and he wanted to sit by him. Then he turned 5 and wanted to play soccer, and that’s how I became his soccer coach for 2 years. We were called the “Texas Flossers.” Whether we would win or lose, they would stop and do the floss. We had so much fun playing soccer. But then life happened, and he lost his joy in playing sports.
For the past 4 years, we have been through a lot of traumas, by losing his Godmother and both of my parents to Covid, then my grandmother and uncle 8 months ago. Maison was very sad, and it felt like we would never be able to find our joyful space again. Maison could not seem to find a sense of belonging at school or find any friends.
One night we prayed asking God to smile on us again, to open his windows of heaven to pour out a fresh new joy, love, peace, and healing for us both.
Then a few days later, while walking in Hi Nabor, we met Coach Miller, and he scouted Maison for a football team here in Baton Rouge: “Gorilla Warfare” A Nonprofit Youth Football Organization.
Maison has always wanted to play football, but I had truly had my reservations. Until I went to the practices and saw the smile on my son’s face during the hard conditioning and training. He has been doing drills and workouts that I didn’t even know he was strong enough to do. He is so eager to be at practice we must be there 30 minutes before practice so he can help the coach set up. And the best part, he gets to pray for the team at the end of practice.
The coaches have also been profound role models for these young boys by fostering teamwork, inspiring leadership, encouraging camaraderie, making positive decisions, being responsible, and setting realistic goals. All while instilling values that help set them up for success in the game and while at home.
Being on this team not only changed Maison’s life, it has given him a sense of belonging, a lot of friends, made him more responsible and dedicated, but it has also changed mine as well. I get to be a team mom, coaching from the sidelines and supporting him. It has helped us find our joyful space again. Maison is so happy now. We have found our new family.
They are looking for more young players for the team, ages 5-14. We will meet at Forest Community Park Mon-Thurs. 6:00pm-7:30pm. You can contact Korey Miller at 225-218-3299 for more information.
