Go Soca Warriors!

I've never been crazy about football. But I must admit that my heart has been doing all manner of flip flops when the Soca Warriors were playing their last two matches. Yesterday in particular, the whole school was buzzing. Neither teachers nor students could fully concentrate on school work. Unfortunately, none of the televisions in school were showing properly so people depended on radios and suddenly in the middle of my class, jubilant screams rang throughout the school. I don 't know how the children found out, but somehow they had heard that a goal had been scored. It turned out to be a false alarm. I tried to continue teaching my class (valiant soldier I was), but then another round of shouts erupted. This time it was true. We had scored a goal! By this time, nobody could concentrate. Eventually the principal dismissed school early. We were supposed to have had a department meeting at this time. HAAAA! Couldn't happen. Our wise principal understood this. When the final whistle blew, those who were still on the school compound shouted in relief and absolute joy. I felt dazed.
"So this means we going to Germany?" I asked a student who was nearby.
"It seems so, Miss," he replied with a wide smile.
Wow...
As I made my way home, I could feel the jubilation in the air. Motorists had their lights on high beam, even though it was two in the afternoon. Trinidad flags were fluttering from cars. Everyone was smiling. Some were shouting. That kind of togetherness warmed my heart. I wish it could last forever.

Today, I saw people of all races and backgrounds united in the joy of the Soca Warriors' victory. I saw political opponents share a platform and salute each other as they paid tribute to the team. I have to admit that I'm still not a huge fan of football, but there's something to be said about the power of that one moment when Dennis Lawrence butted that ball into that net. It gave a tiny nation a feeling of hope. It made us forget the escalating crime for a while. It reminded me of the beauty of the Trinbagonian spirit.

Well done Soca Warriors!