Farewell
What a profound photo... As I was growing up, this is what I wanted to do. Play softball in the Olympics. I probably could have done it, too. A different choice here; a different choice there. No big regrets, but a gold medal (or silver as this year's team earned) would have been delightful.
The life lessons I learned from my sports career certainly last longer than the sweetest victory (Softball Districts 1990) or the toughest defeat (Volleyball Pre-Districts 1989; Volleyball Nationals 1992)... I am thankful for the things that I learned along the way and the person I have become because of the hours of practice, the days filled with sore muscles, the moments of pressure packed athletic action, the heartbreaking decisions that ultimately sculpted my character.
Still. A gold medal would have been nice. And now the chance is gone.
So I too leave my cleats around home plate and bid softball its Olympic farewell. Perhaps someday they'll bring it back and I can live vicariously through Claire. Perhaps. Someday.
~lk
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