4th Quarter

I am sick to my stomach because a group of people I grew so fond of will no longer be in my life. You see, while I love people, I’m not much of a “people person.” It takes me a while to warm up to people and get used to them. But this time was different. I was loved and I loved them. One day, it abruptly ended. The group of people I saw daily, talked to daily and could rely on, they no longer played that part.

I’m not quite sure if anyone can relate to what I’m feeling. Since my oldest son was 5, he played sports. Football was the one he was skilled in. It was an activity for him to be involved in, creating social relationships, friendships and some, we call family until this day. While it kept us busy, it was a healthy busy, so I thought.

Football was fun. It was a way to support the community but also be a part of something outside of our house. My son met many friends through recreational and school ball. Then it all changed.

He no longer wanted to play and made sure that he did what it took to not have to walk on a football field again. The day I got the call it was almost if someone was calling me to report a death. Well, it was a death. The death of a dream. The death of years of hard work. The death of a community we were a part of for so long. That sucker punch to the stomach was unexpected. Today, I deal with the aftermath.

No more group chats. No following a calendar. No busy Friday nights. No practice pick ups, fundraisers or volunteering. Can’t sport my favorite players number or sit in the stands…