Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Is This Really Happening?
Written by Ray Shay



In twenty four years of being a Police Officer, I got accustomed to seeing the unexpected. When critical moments suddenly unfolded before my eyes, it was as if unseen hands would grab time itself and slow it down.  As the person looked one last time and then turned to jump, a person raises a weapon, or a person does something else so unimaginable, you cannot help but becoming incredibly focused. The 16 MM film projector in my mind, (I'm dating myself) would slow down and I could see each frame of the action, as it slid in front of the flickering lamp.  It is a freaky phenomenon, but in a strange way you get used to it.

Patrol car
In police work there are certain rules you learn through training, experience and self preservation.  They include the unexpected will happen and you can never stop processing information or performing your duties.  You can also NEVER get caught up in the emotions of what your are experiencing. You must continue to set priorities and take action.  A cop staring at a sudden hostage situation with his or her mouth open is frankly not a very good idea, and dangerous to everyone involved. There is always time to be, "amazed" later, at the end of watch.     

Wednesday morning at about eleven AM, I broke every single one of the above rules. I let my guard down. I  experienced the phenomenon of time slowing down and I just sat there.  I was immersed in the emotion of the moment and my mouth was likely wide open. I was amazed at what I was seeing.  I was not, "on the job" as law enforcement officers call it
Nike Football: The Chance Global Finals 2012: Day 5 
Nike Football: The Chance
Global Finals 2012
on the East Coast.  I was actually sitting in our Community Hub with our team of Realtors and support staff.  We were all watching the recently posted YouTube video from NIKE, entitled, "The Chance Global Finals 2012".  Click video on right to view. 

At exactly two minutes and eight seconds into the above video there is a very short highlight of a sixteen year old soccer phenom, by the name of Brian Iloski. He is wearing a red jersey with the number 100 on his back as he competes in Nike's, "The Chance - Global Finals 2012" at the Mini Estadia Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, last weekend. This match is the conclusion of a worldwide search where over 150,000 competitive soccer players battled valiantly for only sixteen spots on Team NIKE'S 2013 International Soccer Tour.  

While under extreme pressure, and the eyes of the world on him, Brian deftly and miraculously gathered in a soccer ball which had fallen out of the warm, blue, Barcelona sky, coddled it, accelerated, and then magically and unbelievably lifted the ball into the air, passing it to a teammate who then shot at the goal.  I was stunned.  I felt the lump in my throat and my eyes threatening to water.  I knew it was not the air conditioning in our office.  I was feeling the emotion of the moment.  I also knew there was absolutely no way I could turn in my seat and look at, or much less, say anything to Brian's Iloski's mom, "Yo" who was sitting behind me.  I am sure Yolanda was smiling.  I cannot imagine any mom or dad that would not be so very proud of their son.  

Similar to the soccer ball which tumbled in the air, I was momentarily disorientated and wondered, "Is this really happening?"  Did I really just see Brian who was chowing down on dinner in our backyard two weeks ago, just run past the referee we all watch on European Premier League Soccer?  Did Brian, a local San Diego SURF Soccer Club player, demonstrate to the European coaches and his fellow players from around the world that in America we really are playing some pretty darn good soccer?  
The Iloski Family

Did Brian just place his size eight, NIKE, white and pink Mercurial soccer boots on the first rung of a ladder which may lead to where some of the most elite, professional, and well compensated soccer players compete in the world?  I know what our three boys, Troy, Raymond, and Ryan would likely yell out in excitement, "Yeah Dad, he frickin did!" 


If all the above was not enough, it was Brian.  A local kid from Escondido, California.  A good kid like his brothers, Eric, Milan and sister, Brianna.  A kid who clears the table after dinner and chills on the couch dreaming of one day playing for Barcelona.   A level headed boy who does not do any drugs and is a role model in both school and life.  A kid who's parents, Yolanda and Mike are solid, "salt of the earth" people. I am not exactly sure what that means, but I know for sure they are the type of family you care about because they care so much for other people. 

The Chance U.S. Finalists: Global Finals in Barcelona: Brian Iloski
The Chance U.S. Finalists: Global Finals!
   
With so many of our sports heroes turning out to be false leaders, we need more athletes, and true competitors we can believe in. There is a great deal right about our country.   I believe it is incredible to have one of our own travel from the San Diego area, to such a far away place and under daunting odds, demonstrate that through hard work, some help from God, and maybe a little luck, we really can compete with the best that this planet has to offer.  

I think it is OK that I felt the chill when I saw Brian pass that ball in the final.  I am a lucky guy.  I also think it is OK for other people to recognize Brian is young, but heroes come in all ages, even if they are only sixteen years old.  So good luck Brian, enjoy the ride, wherever it may take all of us.  



Enjoy your week,


Ray and Theresa Shay  
Ray & Theresa Shay  
  


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