Flashback Friday

I've had this idea in my head for a while about writing a post on a significant time in my past. Something that has defined or refined the person I have become. Not that I want to dwell on or live in the past, I just think there are things that are worth remembering. So, as I started recalling significant events, I realized there are too many for one post. That's when I thought of my catchy title ;-). That means I am going to try and write a short (hopefully) post every Friday about a time in my life that has had great impact on me.

Today, I'm going to start with Volleyball.

In high school, volleyball was one of my favorite sports. In fact, I LOVED playing volleyball. But it didn't start out that way. You see, when I was younger, my passion was basketball. Because I went to a small school (VERY small) the 5th and 6th graders could play on the 7th and 8th grade jr. high team. So, when I was in 5th grade, I couldn't wait to play basketball, but thought volleyball was a very stupid sport. When you're that young and green, the volleyball really bruises up your arms--why would I want to do that to myself?--and the ball was impossible to get over the net. Impossible. So when all the other girls went out for volleyball, I was a wuss and refused to play.

Then I entered 6th grade. This is the significant part: my mom forced me to play volleyball. Gasp! How awful of a parent to force your kid to do something she doesn't want to do! I'm pretty sure I went kicking and screaming.

But you see, my mom saw something that I couldn't see. She had vision for my life when my perspective was so small. All I could see was the pain and embarrassment involved. She saw, that with training, I could end up really liking it, and be good at it. She was right. I did end up really liking it and I was good at it. It's one of my top favorite memories from when I was a kid. In 8th grade we went undefeated--pretty good for the smallest school in Iowa--and won the end of season tournament. I still remember singing, "We are the Champions" with all the girls in the locker room. Then came high school. We didn't do as well in High School as we did in Jr. High, thanks to our inability for anyone to grow past 5'6". But, I got to play with the same girls for 7 years and I think that's pretty amazing.

I pray that I can have my mom's wisdom in raising my children; that I will be an expert on my kids and know when to "force" them to do things they don't want to do. It just may have a significant impact in their lives that they aren't able to see.

My parents and I at senior night.

Warm ups.

Stretching before my last volleyball game ever.