I am sitting in an empty football field after my last high school football game that finished a few hours ago. I'm the mid-field player on my team. But in fact that's not 1 now. I was the mid-field player because, as I said, this was my 2 game. That's a good way to end a high school football career (生涯), especially if you win, but even though you don't, it's 3 to leave at a high point.
I was eight when I first started playing football. My dad 4 football, and he used to practise with me at home – passing, catching, running. We used to practise almost every evening 5 it got too dark. He tried to teach me everything he knew about the 6. “Just remember: don't ever 7.” “Stay in the game. Don't lose your concentration (专注).” “Go out there and give 110 percent every time.” Well, that was a long time ago, but I still hear his words 8 in my ears.
I had a lot on my mind 9 the game today. I don't like things to end, I guess, and this was the last game. I was talking to myself and warning myself about what to do and not to do. I didn't sleep at all 10, and when the sun came up this morning, I reached the point where 11 just wanted it all to be over, finished, done. But then when the game started, my mind became 12. I just lived in this game, this moment. I didn't hear the crowd, I didn't feel the cold or the pain, I never felt tired. I just kept my eyes on the 13, and it was just me and the ball and, inside, a soft, white light 14 me the way to the goal. It was a beautiful, empty feeling.
It's all over now, and it's really getting cold here. It's starting to snow. The sun's almost gone, and I can 15 see the goal. Now it's dark and I'm sitting here all alone. Well, I guess it's time to say good-bye and move on.
