Big Guy has two passions in life: Soccer and D, who’s now been elevated to “the greatest friend on Earth.”

So imagine Big Guy’s joy when we went to a pre-soccer season meeting last week and found out that he and D would be on the same team for the coming indoor season.

“It’s a miracle! It’s a miracle!” he whispered, and I think he was on the verge of tears. That’s how much soccer and D mean to him.

At first I too was ready to attribute it to a miracle – out of all the 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds at Fort Irwin, Big Guy winds up on the same team with the kid he loves the most.

But now I’m suspecting that the miracle had help from an angel wearing an Army Combat Uniform.

D’s dad is friend of Big Guy’s dad as well, and he knew Big Guy’s dad was due to deploy shortly before the start of soccer season. He also knows how much Big Guy loves the game, because Big Guy and D beg him at least daily to play. He’d heard both boys say for a month how much they longed to be teammates.

D’s dad also is an assistant coach on his son’s team.

Now, I’m not going to jump to any conclusions that would get anyone in trouble, because under the rules requests to be assigned to certain teams are honored only for siblings or in the case of medical conditions.

But suppose that an assistant coach approached a head coach and explained that there’s a little 6-year-old who’s new to Fort Irwin soccer but who loves the game. And that the 6-year-old’s dad had just left for Afghanistan. And that the 6-year-old would be delighted if he were somehow miraculously picked for the same team as the assistant coach’s son.

“Isn’t it just amazing that they’re on the same team” I said to D’s dad the other night as I picked Big Guy up from their house.

D’s dad grinned broadly. “It sure is.”

I know a “don’t ask, don’t tell” situation when I see it. But I also knew moments later exactly what had happened.

“I’m glad you’re on that soccer team because I have to keep an eye on you,” D’s dad said, rubbing Big Guy’s head as he walked out the door.

It’s good to have angels on Earth.

Copyright 2010 Debra Legg. All rights reserved.

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