One of my biggest passions in life has always been volleyball. I started playing when I was in 6th grade, and continued to play all through high school. After high school, I attended Northland Community and Technical College, where I also played. When I decided to go to college at Northland, my goal was to work hard enough at volleyball to get a scholarship to play at a 4 year university. Unfortunately, when I hit my second year, I decided that I would not be playing after Northland.
Deciding that it was time to quit playing volleyball competitively was an extremely difficult decision. There were basically two reasons why I ended my volleyball career after Northland. The main reason was that I felt like I should focus on school. School has always been tough for me, and I knew that I would not be able to concentrate very well if I were playing a sport. The second reason I decided not to play was because I developed knee issues. It wasn't until about half way through my second year at Northland that the knee pain developed. However, the pain was so severe that I knew I could not continue to play if I was going to face injury issues.
So that was that. I graduated from Northland in the spring of 2009, and in the fall of 2009, I transferred to Minnesota State University Moorhead. I pursued a degree in mass communications and I minored in art. I missed volleyball more than just about anything my first year at MSUM. There was a part of me that regretted not playing, and there was a part of me that was absolutely certain that I made the right decision. My first year at the university was extremely difficult, both mentally and emotionally. I do not know if I would have made it through everything that first year, had I played ball.
For about 2 years, I never really had the opportunity to play volleyball for fun. Transferring from a 2 year college to a 4 year, means you miss out on a lot of opportunities to meet people and make friends. The only people I really knew were in my classes, and I never bonded with any of them. After I graduated from MSUM, I moved to Grand Forks. My cousin (who also lived with me for 6 months) and I would go to the UND Wellness Center once in a while and play, but those times were fairly rare.
Now here I am. After a year of living in Grand Forks, I have moved back home. Within about a week of being back, I had a couple of friends ask me to play City League volleyball on Tuesday's and Thursday's. I didn't hesitate to say yes since I have missed playing so much. It has felt awesome being being back in the gym. I knew I missed it, but I didn't realize just how much until I started playing again. Tuesday's are usually more competitive and Thursday's are pretty laid back but either way, I could not be more grateful to be playing again.
If you didn't already know, today is Wednesday. Not a day that I normally play volleyball. Since I seem to have developed a "fresh" cold, I was looking forward to going home after work and sleeping all evening. At around 2:00 pm, I received a text from one of my old teammates asking if I would play co-ed volleyball with their team tonight. They only had 4 players and they needed someone to fill in. I hesitated to play, knowing that I wasn't feeling well. I also knew that it was playoffs for them, so that meant possibly playing 3 games. Well, I decided against my hesitations and said yes to playing. I know how rough in can be for us when we are short players, and I did not want to leave them hanging.
So today, saying yes to Wednesday night volleyball was my good deed. This would normally not be out of my comfort zone, but I knew I was sick and that I would not be playing with my own team. Trying to play a sport that you love is not easy when you feel like crap. Fortunately, I was able to suck it up and play the three games. Yes, I said three. It was a long night, and we didn't do great, but I am convinced that I helped their team, just a little.
Now here I am, finally laying in bed at 10:30 at night. Roughly, seven hours later than I planned, with my nose running down my face, and sneezing every 30 seconds. However, I must say that I feel pretty good! My shoulder is a little sore and my knees are a little bruised, but that always seems to be a good feeling for me! Nothing better than a fresh workout!
Love and Volleyball,
Sarah
Well . . . It is 11:00 and this is the second time that I am writing the same blog! UGHHHHHHH it has really been a long, tough day. I am tired and honestly, had a tough time writing my section the first time, and now I have to do it all again . . . sigh . . . Yesterday Rah gave me one rule. Whatever I did today had to be free, meaning that it could not cost anything. Easy peasy I told her. Piece of cake. Not a problem for this mama! I CAN do that! However, my plan was to stay home as the semester had now come to a close and I was going to enjoy a day at home. Sooooooo what to do?? I could write a few cards as that is always appreciated, but I really didn't feel like writing. I could reconnect with some friends, but really was not in the mood for chit chat today. I really could not think of anything, but decided to do some wrapping.
I love Christmas wrapping. I like all the beautiful colors, the barrage of bows and ribbons, and adding the final touches that make them all look unique and special. I really enjoy it when I have all of the necessary tools to do a GOOD job. Today, I had everything. Wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, boxes, and tags. I was good to go. I started with my wrapping as I had a fair amount of it to get done. And then it hit me after a phone call from Rah. Rah said that there were no packages under the tree and it was pretty sad looking without any! No packages . . . wait, of course there were no packages, as I have done Cal's shopping and have his gifts for the kiddos here. THAT was it! I would do his wrapping and get that all taken care of. Good deed DONE! I think???
It kept gnawing at me all day that the gifts should be delivered. BUT I did not want to drive to TRF. I thought about it . . . thought some more . . . decided no. Went out for supper, came home, moped around a little, and thought MAYBE I would feel better if I just dropped them off. I knew that Rah was at league volleyball where she was filling in for another team. So, if I hurried, I might get them delivered before she got home.
I drove up to the house. Grabbed my tote filled with gifts. Rang the bell . . . awkward. Cal came down and I told him I had his gifts and that Rah said the tree looked sad and lonely . . . awkward. He took the gifts . . . I left . . . awkward. I cried. There has just been so much sadness in our home and I fear that Christmas will be a reminder of a lot of stuff that is in the rear view mirror probably a lot closer than it appears.
I met Rah on the road, but did not stop. I wanted her to be surprised. I do not know if the gifts were under the tree. I do not know if Cal signed his name on the tags. I do not know if it made the tree a little more livelier. BUT I do know that I tried to bring a little Christmas Spirit into a somewhat dark and lonely space.
Ribbons, Bows, and God's Blessings,
Sheila
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