Do you remember that feeling you had the first time you picked up the ball, shot the puck, scored your first goal, stuck that big dismount? Do you remember practicing for hours on end until your mom forced you to come inside for dinner? You loved the game, whatever the sport, from the second you started playing it. The thrill of it, that feeling of freedom, the lifelong friendships and bonds formed with your teammates and rivals. You thought you would and could play your beloved sport forever. Nothing could go wrong. I mean, how could it? Little eight-year-old you never once thought about stepping away from the sport that's so near and dear to her heart. You spent your entire childhood, and most of your teenage years for that matter, practicing and playing your heart out. You know you would never be the same if it wasn’t for all of the experiences gained from playing.
Somewhere along the way your interests changed; your heart just wasn’t in it any more. You loved the sport, just in a different way. You no longer wanted to play the sport, but you didn’t know how you would feel when you stopped. It was all you ever knew. You missed out on so much due to tournaments, competitions, practices, and games, and as you grew older you weren’t willing to make that sacrifice anymore. You started to wonder about everything that you missed out on, the get togethers with friends, family functions, school dances. You started to wonder what your life would be like without the sport that you poured your heart and soul into for so many years. Would you be the same person? Would you still have the same friends?
You never thought that you would see the day when you would ultimately decide to give it up, but you eventually did and,surprisingly, you don’t regret it. You were able to find yourself and interests outside of your sport. There was a whole world out there greater than the sport of softball, hockey, gymnastics, soccer and it was yours to find. Although you miss it, you are glad that you took that hard step forward to give it up. You learned so much about yourself and found out about all these other interests and talents that you had outside of your sport, that you never knew you had.
It’s been some time now that you’ve stepped out onto that field and often times you miss it. You miss that feeling of belonging to a team, the adrenaline rush you get while stealing a base or going out on a break away. Giving you up was one of the harder decisions I made in high school, but I’m glad I did. You presented me with so many opportunities and I met some of my best and longest friends through you. I wouldn’t be the same person if our paths had never crossed. You taught me to never give up. I spent my best and my worst years with you and I don’t regret it for one single second.
For all those who are lucky enough and still have that desire for the game they love, play for her, that little girl who was once awestruck by the “big girls.” Play for her, the one who has such a love for the game. Times may have changed, you’ve grown up and your desires have changed. Play for her, the one who used to be you.
“Somewhere behind the athlete you've become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back... play for her.” Mia Hamm
