Did I mention....I am a Volleyball Mom?
This was our first experience with a travel sports team of any kind. We did not know what to expect. We started off in a gym full of talented athletes all competing for a position on 1 of only 2 teams. The competition was overwhelming and seemed to get to the girls.......so the parents prayed!
A few days later, the phone rang...and the offer came.... "Emily has made the National Team."Those words then started several hours of discussions about whether or not that was the right team for us as a family. National meant more money, more travel and possibly not playing with the very friends we had wanted to play with in the first place.
Once the decision to play National was made...we moved on to the first meeting and uniform fitting. We entered a small conference room filled with (what was then) total strangers. We knew no one. We noticed that several other girls did know each other...and Emily missed her friends. She questioned her decision.
The parents exchanged small talk..."Who is your daughter?" "What school does she attend?" This seems so silly to me now. I should have just grabbed them all and squeezed them tight...because now I can't imagine being a part of any other team.
Over the past 4 months, we have gotten to know these families better than some of our closest neighbors and friends. We have traveled together by car, van, bus and for some, plane. We have cheered ourselves silly ( and I do mean silly...like embarrasing at times.) We have laughed a lot and even cried a little...and we have eaten a lot of Subway sandwiches!
We have watched 10 young ladies play their hearts out....with their coach calling them up to do more! They have risen to the occassion many times and have three first place medals to show for it. They are humble and their parents are proud....of them as players, of course, but even more as girls. They are amazing! I want to be like them.
We may never play together as a team again, but no matter how many other teams we are a part of....we will not forget this one....our forever favorite... Breeze!
Volleyball mom,
Ahhh Jen, so beautiful! "I should just have grabbed them all & squeezed them tight", how sweet? So happy that it was an awesome season & that the girls progressed in volleyball & their friendships! Tonite my 12 yr old's team received a huge compliment from a parent of the opposing team. The parent was blown away by how much fun our girls were having pre-game. I am so proud of these girls~regardless of their record~they are true teammates & it is so nice that someone else noticed. Congrats to you for being a supportive parent & making it happen for your daughter!
ReplyDeleteCathy M...what an awesome compliment. Congrats to them too!
ReplyDeleteAnd you know what? When our girls stop having fun...they start losing points. Fun is fundamental. I still have so much to learn.
Dear Jen,
ReplyDeleteI am so touched by your words. So true... I cannot imagine not driving to practice, the excitement of an upcoming tournament, googling our opponents, checking out the standings, and then finally the tournaments. We were an exceptional group, both parents and girls. Family. I cared for each and every girl as if she was my own, I loved my fellow volleyball moms and dads. We were blessed...and the memory will stay forever.
omgsh......balling over here! This is the sweetest thing! Amazing how your words were like they were coming out of MY mouth!!! We were all in the same boat..., paddling...., finding inner strength....., steppin' up....., arriving..... what an awesome experience this has been for the girls!!!! What a blessing to get to know you and your family!!!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!!
ReplyDeleteRenee
okay...you made me shed a few more tears! I can't get over how close your words were to my own experience. Especially the choosing the National team when it meant not playing with Em's friend. That was a tough decision and one I doubted often in the beginning. Thank you for the beautiful tribute to the girls...so well said. They are amazing and I WOULD like to be just like them. Thank you Jen for the lovely words about our Breeze family. I've thought so many times how lucky we have been to get to share this season with such wonderful people....group hug! love to you all!
ReplyDeleteJoanne
Jen, thanks for your kind words. You make me want to start a blog!! It was a great season for the girls and for the parents. Everyone blended so well, and it's hard to believe the time has already flown by. Your comments about the beginning were "spot on." We were a roomful of mostly strangers, and who knew that the season would be so successful and we would grow so close! I am very proud of the girls and thankful for our coach who pushed them to achieve. Have a great week and see you guys soon. Linda H
ReplyDeleteThere was so much more I could have said....I love,love,love your comments...Hugs all around!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post! Some of the best memories I have growing up came from playing on a sports team!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments on my blog...I was so suprised to see them...you're my first "real" comment! Thanks!
Hey Jen
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog and for leaving a comment. My Emily is a volleyball player too. Thank Heavens she takes after her dad in height. I'm a shortie Darn it!
I'll add you to my blog list.
Susan (fivegreatkiddos)
PS: Those were my babies hospital photos