CARVSMARK

We all know that pesky checklist society hands us the moment we pop out of the womb. You know the one-the checklist that your Aunt whips out every Thanksgiving, asking when you’re finally going to settle down and get hitched? Or the checklist that dictates you must get straight A’s to score a job that’ll pay off those student loans faster than you can say “caffeine addiction”?

But guess what? The times, they are a changin’, my friends! It’s time to toss that checklist out the window and embrace the wild, wacky adventures of life. And who better to lead the charge than my son, the Lisbon globetrotter extraordinaire? Seriously, if there was an award for most frequent Ayer miles racked up in a year, he’d have a whole trophy cabinet dedicated to it!

Now, picture this: there I am, bidding adieu to Lisbon for what feels like the umpteenth time in a year. I swear, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve waved goodbye to that city, I’d probably have enough cash to buy my own private island. But hey, who needs an island when you’ve got a laundry list of European destinations to explore, am I right?

Speaking of Europe, it’s practically become my son’s second home. I mean, he’s made more friends on the continent than I’ve had hot lattes (and trust me, that’s saying something)! With teammates from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the USA, Italy, Syria, Brazil-you name it, he’s probably got a buddy from there. And let’s not forget about the cultural immersion-he’s practically a walking, talking Portuguese as my grandparents would have loved to see him there and playing. In fact, I can see my grandfathers smile and hear my grand mothers laugh when I write that sentence.

But let’s cut to the chase: futebol. Yep, my boy has been kicking balls and taking names across Portugal like he’s auditioning for the lead role in “Futebol Frenzy: The Movie.” And let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster ride of emotions. From pushing himself to the limit, to facing off against opponents with more swagger than a peacock on parade, it’s been a journey filled with more drama than a soap opera marathon. And let’s not forget the daily grind—waking up at the crack of dawn, eating right, working out, video analysis, training sessions, lunch, repeat. It’s like Groundhog Day, but with more shin guards and protein shakes.

But through it all, he’s emerged stronger, wiser, and with more laundry skills than a seasoned housewife. I mean, who knew that doing laundry in a foreign country could be such an adventure? Forget about the Eiffel Tower or the Colosseum-give me a local laundromat any day! It’s where euros are exchanged for laundry detergent, where the TV plays local hits, and where gossip flows as freely as the fabric softener.

And let’s talk about victories. Beating teams like Sporting? It’s like winning the lottery, only with more adrenaline and fewer tax forms to fill out. But with victories come losses, and with losses come frustration. It’s like trying to climb a mountain with a boulder strapped to your back, but you know what? He pushes harder, because that’s just who he is.

But beyond the victories and the laundry mishaps, what truly sets my son apart is his outlook on life. He’s not one to be constrained by checklists or societal expectations. Nope, he’s all about embracing the chaos, seizing the moment, and living life to the fullest. He’s been rebuilt, both inside and out, overcoming mental challenges and physical hurdles with the tenacity of a bulldozer.

And as he gears up for his next adventure in Spain, I can’t help but feel proud. He’s embraced the journey with open arms, faced the challenges head-on, and come out the other side stronger and more resilient than ever. When he needed a reset, he did so on his own terms, came back, won the league with his Croatian family who have never let him down. As he pushes forward, his journey keeps getting more and more interesting.

So, to all of you out there clinging to your checklists, I say this: toss ’em in the trash, embrace the chaos, and savour every moment of the wild ride we call life. And to my son, as he embarks on his next adventure, I say this: keep embracing the journey, keep exploring, and never forget that the best stories are the ones you never planned for.

Cheers to life’s surprises, my friends!