APRIL 24, 2021 BY CASSANDRA JOHNSON
I got the email from DC United Soccer Fan Club management this past week and my heart was reminded. When I moved to DC in 2006, I knew I would be in their stadium. Wistfully I have not been in the new one yet but with opening night this past Saturday and a new opportunity to see them streamed live each Saturday, the nostalgia came flooding back to me.
How nice to remember just doing something for no reason at all. This is life just enjoyed. How nice to root for someone else and share some local camaraderie. Though I do appreciate this being a job for them, I also appreciate the joy of seeing them perform well at what they enjoy. They are doing great work.
This is an aside from only focusing on responsible adult life. The journey is the destination for real. I truly was reminded of being fresh to DC and being just as excited as I was when I stepped on my campus at Ohio State University. There is something to be said for feeling fresh and then also again being filled up with good memories.
I recalled the World Cup games I would catch with a group of friends at the nearby Irish Pub. I also think back to one particularly cool date night. I am reminded of dragging my friends to the local MLS game and I recall how fun it was when my little brother came to visit during World Cup season.
Good memories of nice temperatures and the glowing sun, casual drinks, and good excuses for junk food. I like to think I am always appreciating the present moment but sometimes a reminder is needed. No need to overthink.
There is no match for skillful play and crafty goal scoring though lucky moments are also welcome. You gotta love what the crossbar can do. This past Saturday was just skill. With a new team coach and a new team president, I am excited to simply enjoy. No work (at least for me) just play and like the video games I also used to play (and still need to play), this feels like simple living.
Enjoying others even more and not always thinking about life’s next needed step is sometimes exactly what is needed.