Dear Athlete,

Upon returning home for Christmas break, I find myself revisiting old aspects of my high school life. Eating at familiar restaurants, meeting up with the usual friends, laughing over the same inside jokes, and finally, watching my high school basketball team. In the past few years, the basketball program has been known as the team of misfits. We had people from just about every grade, clique, class and club in school. But somehow, as cheesy as it sounds, when we came together, we not only played well, but we also formed a bond that could only be understood by those who experienced it. Watching from the sidelines was nothing I wasn’t used to, but tonight was different. I still felt terrified when I saw the size of the other team, even though I wasn’t suited up to challenge them on the court. I felt anxious when we were down at halftime, even though I knew I didn’t have to face the coach’s harsh criticism in the locker room. I was nervous in the final minutes of the game, as the other team’s lead grew and we approached the point of no return, even though the outcome of the game wouldn’t affect my life in any way. Just like a piece of that court will always be with me, a piece of me that will always be on that court. From the dreadful, early morning practices, to the long, scorching summer games, basketball was a lifestyle for many, and I hadn’t realized how much I missed what was taken away from me so abruptly until tonight.

So, current high school athlete, I am not going to tell you to enjoy every moment on the court or to not take your teammates for granted, because you already know that. I’m not going to tell you to cherish the final months of the season or to savor the sport you grew up with, because if you’ve been sticking with it for this long, I can tell you appreciate it. Many of you will continue your athletic careers in college and some even beyond that. However, sooner or later you will not consider yourself a basketball player anymore, and I have news: it’s going to be okay. Whether you play left bench, starting point guard, or second string center, listen up. When you’re six and your parents first sign you up to play sports it’s not so that they can watch their baby girl make it to the WNBA, because that is unlikely. It’s for all the things that you learn along the journey of your career. While you’re memorizing plays and perfecting your three point shot, you may not notice what else the basketball lifestyle has been teaching you: hard work, determination, teamwork, problem solving skills, unity, and so much more.

So while you are appreciating the final moments of the season, reflect on the sport that has given you its all. Thank the coaches that pushed you and made you mentally tough. Thank the players that stood by your side and showed you how a team works together. Thank your parents cheered you along every step of the way. Someday you will have those feelings of terror, anxiety, and nervousness when you’re not even on the court, and you’ll realize it’s the piece of you that will always be attached to the game—the game that caused you stress, worry, restlessness, and ache for years on end, only to form you into the person you are today.

Best of luck,

A retired athlete