This day, my Kiddy Kickers soccer class has forteen in attendance. They are unusually squirly seated on the gymnasium's hardwood floor. I use stretching to focus them. As we get into position and wait on a few late arrivals, I notice a boy holding his fist up to another next to him.  Slowly, he extends his middle finger and smiles.  I am shocked speechless and find myself curiously awaiting the other boy’s reaction.  He smiles.  Fearing what parents would think of my inaction, I quickly recollect myself and prepare my words.  As I lean in, oddly enough, I find myself smiling with them.  What I had not recognized originally was the Sponge Bob band-aid on the finger of the first boy.  He was displaying it in the way only a five year old could.  “Is that a Sponge Bob band-aid?” I asked cheerfully.  Appreciative I had notice, he nodded yes.  We quickly moved on to more exciting things to occupy his innocent little mind.

--Coach Brad,  Chicago-based Youth Sports Instructor