Camilo is carried onto the field in the arms of his adult high energy friend. When Papá releases the soccer ball from his hands, Camilo is almost dropped before he makes his way directly to the target. Our friends X and S yell for Camilo´s attention before they punt the ball in his direction. He giggles and gives his best kick back.
Camilo suddenly races from the field and up to the concrete stands. X chases him while asking where he is going. Camilo knows. He reaches up to the basket that rests a full arm´s length above his extended hand. X realizes and passes him an orange penny, definitely oversized for a young boy. They help Camilo to tie knots in it around the back so his calves and feet become visible.
Papá takes in a deep breath as Camilo kicks the ball over and over again, shifting his weight and position to use his right foot. The four boys kick back and forth with Camilo as the star player. They run after the ball when it gets away and apologize to groups seated on the midfield between the two mini games occurring on each end.
Every so often, Camilo misses a ball sent his way as he turns around to shout up at Mommy that he is having fun playing and kicking the ball. ¨Kick ball knee Papá,¨ he exclaims to let me know that he kicked the ball and it humorously crashed into Papá´s knee. As I sit and watch the boys I see unity among them because of a soccer ball. Ever since we arrived, Papá has been surrounded by friends and has been part of a group just because he loves soccer. When they play together, language is not a barrier. Cultural faux pas don´t impede the play. They laugh and grow closer to one another.
I also realize that Camilo knows more about the sport than I thought. He gets it even if his motor skills have not fully caught up. But eventually his excitement about kicking the ball one more time diminishes and X and S find creative ways to keep Camilo engaged. They roll the ball to him with their noses, kick the ball backwards, and lift Camilo up as a shield against the other. When he’s really had enough, Camilo takes off with the ball to keep it for himself and whines when anyone approaches him to share it.
He’s had his fun and he is done. But the whole ride home is full of chatter. He shouts to us, ¨X kee du! (X is ornery)¨ We laugh as he narrates his kicks and catches over and over.
I am thankful that Camilo is growing up under his Papá´s wing to learn the sport that unites cultures and countries. He’s already made some great friends through it.
