"It Is What It Is"

     As we all know graduation is just around the corner. For some of us it's our dreams coming true to start living on our own. While others are still unaware of what the future will bring and have no idea what they want to do as a career. But, graduation isn't just getting a high school diploma and moving on to bigger and better. It also has to do with "growing up" and accepting that no matter what life is going to change overtime, which leads me to my neighbors words "it is what it is." Past seniors have told us that senior year is the best year of our lives and that we will never forget it. I think most of us can agree that so far it has been the worst year of our lives, simply because we are stressing over the little things and over thinking the "what ifs." I know I personally had this issue in the beginning of the year. Now,that graduation is just four months away. I'm starting to realize that our world is going to change even more in our lifetime either in a blink of the eye or so slow that we didn't even notice it changing.
     I think mostly everyone knows what my favorite sport is. If you don't let me fill you in the latest news. I happen to love the sport basketball. I think anyone who has seen me play knows that I play from my heart and give it all my energy no matter what. I love the atmosphere, the court burns, the adrenaline, and most of all the TEAM when it comes to playing! But, last year I took a different route. Instead of just being a team leader. I decided to reach out to my community and help younger kids improve on their skills on the basketball court. Not, only does it give me numerous hours of volunteer work but it gives me the chance to share my passion of a sport with younger children trying to learn.
      When it came to HYBL people could usually find me working the clock or concession. Last year though Jamie was short a couple coaches so she asked Heather and I if we would be willing to coach. We didn't hesitate and took the challenge. Throughout the week we got our roster and realized that we got stuck with a Kindergarten through Second grade team. Talk about short attention span. Of course Heather was afraid to call the parents to let them know when practices were so I took charge of that. First day of practice finally came along and little did I know this would be the highlight of my day for the next couple of months. Although, they didn't really have the skills especially being so little they all had the urge to learn and improve. They would practice a shot over and over again. They would listen and ask questions. Their focus was on you the whole time so you didn't dare teach them the wrong way because it would stick with them forever. The season came to an end and little did I know that they would have been one of my life milestones of changing my life.
       A year has past by and HYBL signs up happened to take place again. Once again the program was short a couple coaches so I received a text that put a smile on my face automatically. "Will you be willing to coach a team again" I read. Once again no hesitation I replied "of course." This year I moved up a grade level and ended up coaching third through fifth grader. I was bummed simply because I wouldn't be hearing the randomest things ever like "water is scary because it sprays you." I believed that I wouldn't have that much interest from the girls like paying attention and wanting to learn new things. Well, after tonight of having our first practice was I totally wrong!
         "Who all wants to run?" Yeah kind of weird for a coach to ask their players who wants to run. But, to my surprise every girl had raised their hand and screamed at me "I DO!" Well, this changed the switch of my thinking that this wasn't going to be so bad after all. After some stretching we started to work on some drills that we do down at the high school. Once again I was stunned how much difference the skill level was than the Kindergarteners. No matter the age the girls still wanted to learn and to improve. They did every drill I asked them. Until,  we tried three man weave. At first I thought it was going to be to advance for them especially when I didn't learn the same drill until Jr. High. I took the risk and lined them up in three lines. I explained the drill twice and demonstrated it once. Once again I was seriously impressed! They got it right off the back as if they had done it before! They didn't complain they just listened and watched the group ahead of them do it. Sadly, our time in the gym was up we huddled up and I called each one of them by their names to learn them quicker. I counted to three and we all chanted "QK Ink." That was the end of my first 2013 HYBL practice.
            Here is my point. Coaching younger kids got me to remember my younger years wishing I had the same opportunity they have now of learning the right fundamentals. It showed me a different perspective of how we are no longer the ones looking up at the older kids. Rather yet, being the example and inspiration for the younger generations. This step in my life has taught me that I'm growing up and should except that I can no longer turn back time to learn the fundamentals and to choose the right path to still be able to enjoy the things I love. Like maybe taking over a Junior High basketball team in the future or becoming an Elementary Teacher.