I heard a story on the radio yesterday that touched my heart and I wanted to share this with you. The next time you are watching your child, grandchild, niece or nephew playing a sport, count your blessings. I know I will.Above is a photo of the U.S. under-17 women's soccer team. They recently beat Haiti 9 - 0 in a regional tournament in Costa Rica. But, the win was bittersweet for the young women, knowing what their Haitian counterparts had endured since the devastating earthquake in that country. Seeing the Haitian goalie still lying on the ground after the game, sobbing, the American team walked over, picked her up and hugged her for a lengthy period.
One U.S. player said she had her mom and aunt in the crowd cheering for her, but many of the Haitian players had lost their loved ones or are unsure of their whereabouts. The majority of the team is homeless due to the quake. They only have each other and the sport of soccer.
Prior to leaving for the tournament, the U.S. team expressed a desire to help the Haitian team. Each young woman brought a bag full of cleats, soccer gloves and other equipment for each member of the Haitian team.
From NPR: Defender Olivia Brannon read a letter to the Haitians, thanking the team for inspiring the Americans to play great soccer and commending them for everything they had been through. "Seeing the Haitians smile," U.S. goalie Bryane Heaberlin says, "was amazing for all of us."
Photo courtesy of NPR
15 comments:
Well done young ladies, well done.
What a lovely story, thank you so much for sharing. I teared up a bit reading that. Maybe it's being a mother myself, but I'm incredibly proud of those girls.
lovely... thanks so much for sharing this with us!
What a wonderful idea, so proud of those young ladies. It's amazing how much team sports can create lasting bonds and friendships, and I am really touched that they had so much compassion for the Haitian team. I am sure it absolutely meant the world to those young ladies who have been through so much, as you said, right now they are clinging onto each other and their love of the sport.
Thank you so much for sharing, this really made my day!
That's a heart-warmer! Thank you for sharing the story.
Thank you for sharing this lovely story, brought a tear to my eye.
Further anecdotal evidence of how competition in sports often brings out the very best in people.
I am so pleased that I stopped by and read this, it brings such hope, thank you for sharing.
This is such a touching story. These young ladies make me proud to be an American. Their parents should be proud of themselves for raising such amazing young women.
Thanks for sharing this story ~
Jo
Wonderful story and post. Thanks for sharing this. With a dear friend who still has children (teenagers) in Haiti, I have a special place in my heart the people and country, but especially for the displaced children.
thank you for sharing this lovely
story of a precious young player's
thoughtfulness and a country's
heartbreak.
i love that i never know what to
expect here . . . except depth and
insight.
blessings,
lea
Thanks so much for sharing. How wonderful to read a story about some wonderful young American women. Makes me realize that their are also some wonderful families and parents out there teaching compassion and thoughtfulness. Well done to these young women!
How kind of you to share. Thank you, thank you.
Wow, that brought tears to my eyes. It is touching to hear about the good of humanity. That picture is powerful.
I heard this story as well and it gave me goosebumps. These are the children that I hope I am raising. Thank you for sharing.
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