field of dreams

The days just seem to be getting better and better at St. Theresia. I'm not quite sure how that is or why. I decided I would go back this afternoon in order to play soccer with the boys. This morning they seemed absolutely desperate for a match. My heart was aching for them. I'm not even sure they believed that I would return. The brightness in their smiling faces when I came back told me how much it meant to them. It occurred to me for a brief moment that they didn't care that it was me or just someone who was bringing them a ball with which to play. At the same instant I didn't care either because I immediately understood what it meant to them. That was the important part. By playing a match, they were getting to be kids doing the exact same things for which I used to live when I was their age. I was so happy for them. I could feel my own heart leaping for them.
All at once; however, my jubilation was mixed with disappointment of my own causing as one of the teachers told the boys that they'd be going to play while the girls would be remaining at the school to clean since there was only one ball. That hadn't been my intention, so next time the girls would get to play netball. With the decision made I didn't want to dwell upon it, especially since I was as eager as the boys to get playing. I didn't want to lose any time.
I shouted in my best Swahili for the boys to hustle because I wanted them to get the most out of their time. I alone knew that we only had little more than an hour until I had to return to the school to catch my ride back to the homebase. Were they ever ecstatic about having a match. They went to change into their sweats at the dorm after which we proceeded to walk to the field at a nearby elementary school where they infrequently play. Wall to wall smiles. I quickly split them into two teams, then I let them have at it.
Absolute pleasure. Sheer joy. They played from one end of the field to the other unleashing their youth with unbridled enthusiasm and vigor. The field itself appeared to stretch endlessly into the distance. Some of the boys just watched or retrieved the ball when it went out of bounds, but even that didn't matter. The boys were in heaven. They were in their field of dreams.
Time whisked by so quickly. Before I knew it we had to go. What had been so wonderful was that it was just them and me; no other teachers were present. They could have played until after dark. Even then, I'm not sure they'd have stopped. I can easily picture them playing beyond visibility in much the same fashion I used to do on the streets or rinks playing hockey, and later on the basketball courts of my own youth. We're not that different at heart
I then bellowed those dreaded words, "Game over. Ball please." They weren't upset; just resigned. I felt awful. I didn't like taking their ball away. I shouldn't have to take it. They attempted to prolong the proceedings as would be expected, but that was short lived. I knew I was already late. The sun was setting, and we still had a fifteen minute walk back to school. The walk back might have been as good as the match itself as the young men of St. Theresia Secondary School displayed the exhuberance of youth having tasted what we all crave which is an occasional escape from reality and responsibility.
I had been anxious about being late, but my apprehension was quickly eased. I returned to the school to wait for my ride when I came upon the young ladies who had finished their tasks and were now enjoying some free time in the school compound. I was very pleased at this turn of events as I would have the opportunity to spend time with them away from the classroom setting. They were joking with each other and fooling around as dinnertime approached. One of the teachers was still supervising and talking with the girls. The girls asked questions and joked with me as I waited. They were more relaxed and outgoing than during school hours. These moments were just as enjoyable as my time with the boys as it afforded me the opportunity to get to know them better. They were displaying the carefree attitude of youth that I don't get to see that often. The entire day had given me a more complete understanding and insight into of all of them which I appreciated so much. It wouldn't be the last time that I, too, returned to the field of dreams.