I vividly remember it. It was one of my proudest moments in life. I was playing in super cup, a soccer league for the top teams in each state across the southeast region of America. We were at one of the super cup tournaments in Florida playing a team named Vestavia. Down 2-1 in the beginning of the 2nd half, I got the ball on the left hand side of the field at the top our own 18 yard box and took off. I dribbled past one defender, two defenders, and eventually hit midfield. I heard our parents telling me to pass...I didn't, I kept going...3, 4, 5 defenders ran up and I skipped by them. I was close to my target, one more defender to beat...I dribbled by him and found myself just outside of the opposing side's 18 yard box. I took a shot with the outside of my right foot and watched the ball start left and curve back to the right, winding up the back right corner of the net. I fell down after the shot...but after the ball went in I slapped the ground and got up screaming in a fit of glory. My teammates rushed me, (Eric, Coleman, Phillip, Ryan, Kyle, and several more) and I fell down again. I got back up and looked over and saw our parents cheering. I don't recall ever seeing my dad show that much emotion. The goal lifted our spirits and we went on to win 5-2. I remember this moment so clearly, in more detail than I can put into words. Let me tell you what I don't remember:
I don't remember the exact city...I'm pretty sure it was Tampa or Orlando, but I'm not sure which. I don't remember how I got to the field. I assume I rode with my dad, but to be honest at soccer tournaments we often rode with other players and their parents since not all the parents went to every tournament. There's a good chance that I either rode to the field with someone else or that someone else rode with us. I don't remember leaving the field, or who I rode with home. I don't remember exactly when this happened. I know it was hot so it was either early or late summer (we didn't play much during the middle of summer). I’m fairly confident that I was 14 or 15...probably 15 because it was right before my team broke up which I believe happened at age 15.
I say all that to say this...you probably believe this story. You probably never once doubted the details of this story. Despite the holes in my memory about when/where/how, you probably believe that my story is true (it is). You probably won't try to invalidate my story because I'm missing a few details here and there. You probably believe that the team I claimed we were playing against and the people that I claimed I was with, were there...even if they don't remember it. I'm sure plenty of them don't. It wasn't a memorable moment for them. It was just another game. They liked soccer....they still like soccer. But they don't necessarily remember a moment that impacted my life. This is why I believe Dr. Ford. Just because a few irrelevant details are missing, doesn't mean it didn't happen.
