A GREAT RUN

The Greenhills Boys' Soccer team competed in the Finals of the State Championship last weekend. We lost 1-0 to Western Michigan Christian, but the real winners were all the parents who had the pleasure of watching their kids play this past season and the Grenhills boys who made a terrific playoff run.

This was Nicholas' last season with the team since he graduates next year, and he played an important role all season. He played multiple positions, including midfielder, winger, and most recently right back. He started nearly every game and made solid contributions to the Greenhills' team that made its deepest playoff run since 2019 when they lost in the State Championship game.

What I will miss most is not the quality of the soccer. Rather, I will miss watching Nicholas give his all for a collective effort to achieve something bigger than himself. Each year - and especially this year - Nicholas' team showed that spirit. Regardless of whether he was on the bench or playing 90 minutes, Nicholas always brought his best self and tried to lift the team as a cheerleader on the side or with his play on the field. 

Watching the boys play also provided a respite from the toxicity of the world. There are so few areas of life where the participants agree upon the rules in advance and accept defeat with grace and humility. Most sports - whether they be professional or amateur - are still that way, which is a refreshing antidote to our politics and many workplaces. Our boys were worthy winners during their amazing playoff run, but they were also graceful in defeat. We all have much to learn from them.

This is the first of many "last time" events with Nicholas before he graduates and heads off to college next year. That sensation sunk in when I headed across the field post-game to congratulate him and the team on an amazing run that had the entire behind them. I gave him a big hug and thought about how much joy watching him play soccer since age 5 had given me. I feel lucky to be his dad and to have a son that is so passionate about such a beautiful game. I feel lucky that we both discovered soccer at the same time and look forward to many more soccer memories together down the road.

GO BLUE!

Last night, a big blue wave washed over Michigan in the 2022 election. Furthermore, the predicted red wave nationwide was more like a trickle as Democrats held their ground in nearly every corner of the nation.

There are a lot of possible explanations for why Democrats outperformed and bucked the trend of the party controlling the White House getting absolutely shellacked in the midterms. First, abortion was foundational for many voters who believed Republicans when they said that the government should decide what a woman should do with her body. Second, MAGA Republicans were kryptonite to all Democratic voters and a sizable number of Independents. Third, people believed democracy was at risk and worth fighting for. This was particularly true for Generation Z, who broke for Democrats by 28% points! The future looks very bright!

Here in Michigan, Democrats won every statewide office - Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General - and they flipped the state legislature and senate. Moreover, Proposition 2 that codified voting rights and Proposition 3 that established reproductive rights were also enshrined in the state constitution. The Democrats also now continue to hold a majority of seats in the state Supreme Court. 

What a turn of events from 2016 when I flew to Michigan on the night of the election. That night Trump won Michigan and was announced the winner of the election the next morning.

We may yet hold the U.S. Senate, and the House looks like it may end up with a slim Republican majority. The work begins now to win the Georgia runoff and to mobilize our forces and hone our message from 2022. Let's Go Blue!

THIS TIME TOMORROW

Recently, I finished the new novel by Emma Straub entitled, "This Time Tomorrow." The story is one of time travel and shuttles back and forth between New York City in the present day and in 1996 when the main character turns 16. 

The time travel element might make you think this is a science fiction story, but you would be wrong. Rather, this book is a love story to earlier times in our lives - before the internet, cell phones, and disinformation - when things were simpler. 

At its core, the story asks, "if you could go back in time, what would you change and why?" After several trips back, the main character comes to realize what matters most to her and the changes she wishes to see in her life and in the lives of those whom she loves.

Life is short, and our decisions can sometimes seem irrevocable. However, we all have the ability to try to change our destiny and make up for mistakes. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

A FALL TO REMEMBER

We have had an absolutely amazing autumn this year - more breathtaking than any I remember since our move and beyond. 

I  love trees with leaves of various colors, especially red, and the fading autumn light really brings out these amazing hues. 

Who knows how much longer we will have these brilliant colors for, but until the gray skies descend on us and the leaves all fall to the ground, I will soak them up.

14!

It is hard to believe Cate turned 14 this past week! She has grown into an independent and capable young woman who knows what she wants.

She has made a seamless transition to life in Ann Arbor and has so many friends at school or through sports. I envy her adaptability!

In the coming years, I hope to see Cate continue to grow and learn more soft skills like taking the pulse of the room, walking in others' shoes, and leading by example on and off the field. I know she is capable of becoming an even more complete person - someone whom we all look up to and view as a role model.

Love you Cate!

THE LAST WHITE MAN

I recently finished Mohsin Hamid's, "The Last White Man." The novel takes places in an undisclosed location, where the main character, a white man, wakes up one day brown. At first, he cannot believe it, but soon he comes to accept that he is a member of this second class group of citizens.

Soon, much of the country undergoes the same conversion. Hysteria about being overtaken and having their society transformed against their will becomes a common sentiment. In the end, the entire country comes to terms with the fact that it has been irrevocably changed. While some characters have greater empathy for the natrual born browned skin among them, many people are horrified by what has become of them.

I could not help but think about the west and its response to immigration and how our societies have become more multi-cultural or mixed. My children and my marriage are emblematic of this change. 

I hope that we can come to accept each other for who we are without regard to color one day. I won't hold my breath.

STATE CHAMPIONS

This past weekend, the Michigan Tigers U15 Elite Girls Team won the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association State Cup, the first time a Michigan Tigers girls' team to do so.

It was a tight affair against our regional rivals, the Legends. After regulation it was 0-0, and three of our players had already received yellow cards in a very physical game. The referee - needless to say - was not great.

In extra time, we had several chances, but we did not break through. That meant penalties...

Cate was the first to take a penalty, and she cooly slotted to the keeper's left. Their player skied their penalty. We missed the next one, but then our keeper made a save. We nailed our next one, and Legends again missed theirs. It is noteworthy that Legends' semifinal match - that we watched - also ended in a shootout, and our goalie took notes on how their players took their penalties. She had notes written on her water bottle during our penalty shootout, and these notes turned out to be huge.

When our next player stepped up to take her penalty, we all knew that a successful kick would end it. She slotted her penalty in clinically, and players and families alike rushed the field.

What a great achievement. On this day, Tigers were legends!