2020 Hindsight: Caring Community of Coaches

On the 169th day of 2020, Alexa went on a scavenger hunt designed by two of her Field Hockey coaches and, at the end was given an amazing basket of gifts, customized to her.  And this 6/17/2020 event was a result of an "Adopt-A Senior" program (we adopted TWO!) that was started and run by her Basketball Coach.  Every Class of 2020 Student in the HS was adopted and received gifts from a family other than their own.  This has me reflecting, as I am wont to do at this time of each day, and my 2020 Hindsight is a caring community of coaches.  Today's hunt involved all three FH coaches (her varsity coach was a stop along the way in the hunt) and her basketball coach.  But there have been so many amazing coaches along the way (and this exercise will be difficult because I am sure to miss some!).  But it all started in Little League Softball with Kathy Press and Brian Cole and then Nick Cussat and Craig Stauts and then Shawn Fore and now Bob Wetherspoon.  And in Middle School with Dot Valiente and HS with Mr. Kulpa and Mr. Pentz (even though it was just planning and a week of practice this Spring).  And, in Soccer, with Bob McHugh, and then Nick and Shawn and Craig again!  And FH with Kristin Tosh, and Abby Adams, and Therese Bernardo and Karen Draper, and then Nicole and Kate and Head HS Coach Val Dayton.  And in Basketball with Susan Waters, and Dom Carino, Anna Roddy, and Jamie O'Neill, and Steve Eife and Drew Manalo-LaManna... to Middle School with Ms Mason and then Ms. Sharples (now Lange) and then Liz Martin, Tara deShayes, Ron Wister, MB, and, finally, Nancy O'Neill.  ALL of these coaches have poured into my daughter (and a lot of other players as well) and taught her more than just the sport in which she was competing.  Teamwork, Empathy, Good Sportmanship, Ethics, Resilience (man the losses are tough), and Leadership.  These coaches have helped shape Alexa into the person she is.  So, as I reflect on her Rec, Travel, and School Athletic career, I cannot help but feel so much gratitude for her caring community of coaches.  Thank you, Coaches!  Thank you!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2020 Hindsight: A "Down" Day

My 2020 Hindsight for 12/30/2020 is A "Down" Day.  I put down in quotation marks because I am not down today, on the contrary, I just finished an evening of Japanese takeout, chocolate pudding pie made by Anna, and a family game night.  I am smiling as I write this.  But, it was a "down" day in that we never really got "up" today.  Slept in, and did not have anything we HAD to do today.  Even my excursion/quest around the supermarkets of Camden County looking for Ground Mustard was fun because I got to laugh and listen to classic rock on the radio with Anna (I am loving her interest in the music of the 70s and 80s and her new record player).  It was another needed vacation day.  I am not going to lie and say I did no work at all, I did catch up on my email and do a few quick tasks....but, again, we did not HAVE to be anywhere at any specific time and the downtime was nice and needed.  May you all find the time, as this crazy year finally comes to ...
Read more

2020 Hindsight: As Unplugged as I Will Ever Be

12/27/2020 started with the last Sunday Church Service of the year.  The 42nd week of online Church on the 362nd day of 2020 (and, if you saw my past prediction, only 38 more to go!)  Then, after a day of errands, we came home and watched some football (Eagles, yech!) and movies (WW84, meh!).  But, what was more remarkable is that I realized that, on Saturday, I sent zero emails.  That's right, zero, zilch, nada.  I used sent emails as a gauge of how much I have been working.  Read emails do not count because a) I read them on my phone and b) I get SO many political and spammy messages.  Most of them are deleted without ever being read.  On Sunday, in fact, I sent only FOUR emails.  Three for Church (Attendance Report and Financial Reports for end of month) and one to the Penn Band Alumni Listserv.  So, friends, that is ZERO emails over the Saturday and Sunday Weekend days.  My 2020 Hindsight is as unplugged as I will ever be. ...
Read more

2020 HIndsight: And to All a Good Night

Day #360 of 2020 was not the Night Before Christmas.  No, it's 12/25/2020, Christmas Day.  And, once again, we found a way to keep traditions alive while still remaining safe in pandemic times.  We missed the family crowd at our Traditional NJ Walters Family Christmas Breakfast, but we appreciate Jackie still making sure we got it.  We enjoyed watching the Cousin Gift Exchange, but it was different on Zoom, and we missed the post-opening hugs.  And, after a Zoom with the CA Sherrs (which is normal for our Christmas), we had a nice family dinner.  Except the family was just the four of us (and Skylar and Talia), instead of the usual 14-16 people around two tables.  But Sarah cooked an amazing roast and Anna helped her make the rest, and Alexa and Anna decorated cookies, and we all dined together and watched movies and the Charlie Brown Christmas Special (and even an NFL Football Game).  My 2020 Hindsight is And to all, a Good Night!  I wish bl...
Read more