So I’ve caught the bug, and I would say I’ve got a pretty bad case.  I am trying to get plenty of rest  (which really isn’t working) and drink lots of fluids, but I guess I just have to let it run it’s course.  The only problem?  It makes me sad that it will soon be over and I already know that I don’t want to get over it.   I am of course talking about World Cup fever.  What else could I have meant?  

Although soccer is not my favorite sport, I love to watch most sporting events.  Especially big ones!  So watching soccer was always in the cards for this World Cup, but I didn’t expect the whole atmosphere to be so enjoyable or encouraging.  It started on Friday when we went over to the college across the street and joined other fans watching the game on a big screen out on the “green.”  The school has a large beautiful green lawn in front of their most iconic building on campus, and they use it to host a few community events every year. 

While not full, it was a well attended event with plenty of space for some goals to be set up for young and old alike to show of their skills.  Vendors had drinks, snacks and there was a general feeling of camaraderie amongst those attending.  We came fully decked out in our mosquito repellent (which worked) and truly enjoyed the game and whole atmosphere.  It wasn’t long after that when I started to hear some stories of other people and their world cup experiences.  

The guy from Germany who is going viral as he travels through the south attending games, eating American food and generally loving all the people he is meeting.  The Scots with their kilts, bagpipes and the way they have just taken over Boston!  I hope they stay there until the 4th of July.  That will add an amazing layer of fun to America’s birthday celebration!  I have “loved” so many of the comments and videos on IG that my whole feed is now full of people from all over the world and their reactions to America, it’s food and it’s citizens.

They like us…. They really like us!  

And we love them!  Everywhere there are groups of football fans, because you know the world doesn’t call it soccer, that are bringing a special kind of energy to the cities they are visiting.  Each of the host cities are welcoming the teams and fans with open arms!  Lawrence Kansas has gone Algeria crazy!  They’ve gone overboard on their welcome and the whole town is supporting the team as if they were their own.  The team itself has embraced the people of Lawrence, and even lent their talents to work on soccer skills with kids.  That is an experience those kids  will never forget!  

Everyone is having fun, and while I know there are some not so friendly  happenings, on the whole people are embracing the amazing atmosphere of friendship.  I am already sad to think it will end, but I hope the seeds that are scattered during this time come to fruition.  Seeds of understanding, responsibility, commonality, and friendship.  That when we all put aside the “talk” that has overcome our world and choose real people over ideologies, great things can happen!  I know it’s just football (soccer) but it’s also so much more!  So many things can separate us and just bogs us down.  The fact is though, when we choose to move in one direction together, we can actually get there!  Let’s choose good…. Let’s choose together!