Memories

I got to sleep in this morning with a day off from work!  The first thing I usually take advantage of whenever I have extra time is cleaning and going to the gym.  So, after I cleaned my room, I headed off to Gold's.  As I left the gym after my workout, all sweaty and gross, I stepped out into the cold, almost-winter fall weather and had some memories fill up my mind.  This is the reason for my post this cozy, autumn day.

There was only one reason I would ever think about getting up at 5:30am each weekday morning July-Aug during my high school years: soccer.  I loved it, and still do.  I remember each morning being one of the first girls on the field, huddled up with my hoodie around my head, socks pulled up to my knees, sitting on top of my gym bag so the dewy grass didn't seep through my shorts.  Slowly, one by one, the other girls from my team would show up for conditioning.  They would mumble a groggy 'hi' and quietly settle down in their own heap, attempting to keep their body heat inside and away from the chilly almost-fall morning weather.  I would sit and listen as the birds woke up and began morning songs or watch the sunlight slowly filter in around the high school grounds.  Collectively and individually, we would sit, listen, watch and wait for our coaches to show up and get us started. Indian Runs, Ladders, Interval Running, or the hoped for Scrimmage practice.  I loved those days - filled with aching muscles; running till I wanted to spew; sweat, sweat and sweat.  It was hard work, and it taught me a lot.  In many ways, my experience playing soccer formed me to who I am now.  I learned that laziness and waiting around do not bring desired results.  Working hard, training hard, finding weaknesses in the skill and improving them, taking direction from my coaches, learning to play with the other girls, going for the ball with everything your muscles are capable of - despite the outcome, playing a game because you love it, not just to win.  Because we never won, and yet I still gleaned my greatest happy moments from the sport.  It was the friends, the challenge and the results of my hard work that made it worth it at the end of each day. 

I had a great morning remembering.