I was speaking to one of our students today, Kaylee, who plays basketball for Delphos Jefferson. Tonight (Thursday) will be her last regular season basketball game she will play in her career. We talked about how many years she has been playing and how many practices over all these years she has been to. Then you realize that this is it. There will be sectionals and more games as she advances to the State tourney, but as far as playing regular season basketball, she is near the finish line. I have spoken with several of our students this past week who are in the same situation. Whether it is wrestling, cheerleading, bowling or basketball, this season is coming to a close.
I would just like to tell all of you athletes the same thing I told Kaylee; Time is measured in minutes; life is measured in moments. I hope you take this moment and enjoy it to your fullest. Look around at your teammates and your family in the stands. Feel the excitement when the buzzer goes off and play begins. Wrap yourself in the smells, the feel and the atmosphere. Take it all in. This is the moment. This is the moment you will look back on with fond memories. This is the moment that you will remember all your life. Be proud of all that you have accomplished and use everything you went through as a learning tool. Think about the times when you just couldn't take the two practices a day, or the weight training. Think about the times when you worked so hard you couldn't move the next day and the thought even crossed your mind that you wanted to quit. Realize that you overcame all that and now you are standing at the finish line. I hope you realize that you have accomplished something that a lot of people haven't gone through. That someday, these lessons will get you through some tough battles you will face in life. There will be times you just want to quit, but I want you to remember you are a fighter and you will make it through life's battles also.
Tonight or some time soon, the minutes will tick off on the game clock and the game you love will be over. However, the moments will last a life time and you will have a life time of memories. Good luck to all of you competing over the next few weeks and please enjoy each and every moment. I know I will.
