Dear Basketball,

You were my first love. My first true passion. I have built friendships, relationships and more from you. Through you, I found out what it means to work hard, to better myself and to do your best for the team.

You helped me become closer to my father. True, we've been close since I was born, however, you helped me spend extra time with him. We went to the rec gym and practiced my form. He made time for me and through you, we built a special kind of bond. He helped coach my team, he took statistics for my high school and he encouraged me all the while. I was afraid that relationship would take on a new form when I quite during junior year of high school, yet it remained. Thank you for helping with that.

Thank you for helping me grow as a team player. I learned that my choices made an impact on my team. I learned that I can't be anything without the help of others. I learned that I can't drive to the hoop all the time and that a gentle bounce pass after a fake can result in points and not just turnovers. I learned that winning comes from teamwork and communication.

You not only showed me what I can do with others, but you taught me to work hard. Winning that game doesn't come from sitting around and doing nothing. Working towards your goal requires work, whether it be working out, memorizing plays or practicing 'getting low' on defense. Work helps and seeing results is satisfying.

Thank you, basketball, for helping me to feel like I was part of something amazing. My teams gave me memories. My teams gave me friendships.

I know it's different for us. I may not play you anymore, but I try to watch games whenever I can. I try to follow the NBA and take some shots whenever I find myself in a gym. Just because I don't see you everyday, doesn't mean I don't love you. You were my first love. My first goal. My first passion. You've taught me life lessons. You've given me so much. Thank you.

A Former Player