Instead of posting a picture of the Colorado fires, I chose to post a picture of what we need: rain

Saturday soccer games…though I am not a soccer mom (it would be tricky to teach my cat how to play soccer, ha ha),  I drive by soccer fields in Boulder on a Saturday morning, seeing dozens of kids playing and having fun, parents talking to other parents, coaches working hard to organize games and other logistics, parents volunteering to bring food for snacks and post-game treats, and many smiles.  It all entails hard work, but the reward of community involvement shine in involvement of youth sports, soccer notwithstanding.

I live outside of Boulder, Colorado and our wildfire crisis has consumed much of my attention.  I worry about my family in Colorado Springs, who evacuated Tuesday and are unsure if their house is still standing.  The images of the flames, smoke, desperate faces on TV, as well as smelling smoke in the air as I go for my daily run or bike ride is heartbreaking.  Coloradans spend time now thinking RAIN and how we can help those directly affected by the fires.

There is a connection here: learning a sense of community.  In both youth sports and emergencies, I am reminded of the kindness of the members of our community.  People reaching out to help, to share food, to help organize logistics, of those who work so hard to make things happen.  By writing this I hope that you will hold in your heart and mind the importance of community, be it in youth sports or daily life.

Yours in health,

Jen Lesea-Ames

CEO/Founder Fitwise Training, Inc.

DBA Youth Soccer Training

NOTE: If you want to help those  affected by the Colorado Wildfires, please consider making a financial donation to the American Red Cross Colorado Chapter, Disaster Relief Fund