I really wanted to write this with as little reference to the world beyond soccer and our family as possible.

The writer in me thinks contemporary references have the half-life of a fruit fly, and the parent in me wants this to be both a diversion and an excuse to let the weightiest bits of the world slide by.

But sometimes you have to acknowledge the wildness right in front of you (and tie back to soccer however you can).

The President of the United States was acquitted of abusing his power, however your history classes judge that moment, let me say as a lived observer: it felt weird.

Not the accusations: those were dumbfounding but totally in keeping with a leader who sees everything as a deal.

Not the acquittal: that seemed inescapable for the last three months.

What felt weird was seeing strongly worded and logically argued condemnations treated about as seriously as a trash-talking pro-wrestling promo.

We’re calling you out Mr President. You don’t deserve that title.

Democratic Impeachment Managers

Blah blah blah, bring it on you pencil necked geeks

President of the United States of America

For something that is genuinely historic, to see it handled like a brief installment in a petty feud felt weird.

Just as weird, the speaker tearing up the president’s speech on national tv, and the president telling religious leaders that he didn’t want to forgive his rivals (despite their prayer right before). Weird again, the ease of many people writing it off as “usual” or “typical”.

It’s not usual or typical. This is weird.

My own politics aside (Our President is a two-bit crook whose goals are limited to being the center of our collective universe), it’s frustrating to see partisanship, dislike and disdain normalized while graciousness and compassion are made weird. Gracious living is easy to do, just practice when it’s hard.

I hope, beyond watching soccer, you play it too. I love watching youth teams line up for a round of “high-fives” and “good games” just like I love watching pros end bitter rivalry games with a congratulatory nod and a jersey swap to respect those you just played against.

You don’t have to tolerate intolerance or always seek the higher ground, but those moments are rare. Graciousness is good for you, good for your rivals, and good for the soul.

You just have to try.