As athletes, we are constantly running around. We have to get to team practices, workouts, individual practices or lessons, and endure the total chaos of the season. Our parents are huge parts of our success when it comes to athletics and there’re quite a few things we forget to thank them for.
1. Driving us everywhere
Most parents put more miles on their cars from traveling for sports than from driving back and forth to work or to the mall. Thank you to the parents out there for driving the hours and hours to and from our events, and keeping the complaining about the driving to a minimum.
2. Doing all of the laundry
Our uniforms are covered in grass, dirt but even worse – sweat. You can probably smell our socks two houses down, but that doesn’t stop our parents from getting them squeaky clean for the next game.
3. Waking up early
Some days we have to leave the house at 4 am to get to the field, but our parents are up at 3am packing lunches, snacks and Gatorade with a smile across their face (the smile is probably from the coffee their drinking, but for now we’ll say I’s because they’re so excited to see us play). They always make sure we’re up too.
4. Giving up vacations
Now, I’m not saying they won’t be taking days off of work, but those days off are usually spent at tournaments. They might be able squeeze a day in for relaxation when traveling to another state for a tournament or game, but they are few and far between.
5. Paying for the travel expenses
Between gas, hotels, plane tickets, food, and the tournament t-shirt we have to have from every tournament, our parents always cover the never ending bill.
6. Only getting slightly ticked when we get to the field and realize we left something at home
We’ve all left our cleats, our glove, our bat or stick and numerous other necessary items at home plenty of times. My parents no doubt get angry, but they always made sure I had everything I needed before the game started.
7. Giving us the opportunity.
Our parents are the ones that gave us the opportunity to play sports when we were younger by signing us up for the local recreation leagues. They gave us that bat or that stick, and we never put it down.
8. Endlessly loving and supporting us
After a rough game, our parents still love us. After a horrible throw or a missed shot, our parents are stilling hollering for us from the sidelines. Our parents are our biggest fans, and regardless of how we perform that will never change.
Thank you to all the moms and dad who support us throughout our athletic careers; without you, none of this would be possible.
