One of my best friends is 80 years old… Her name is
Joanne. Joanne has known me since before
I was born. She babysat my mom and then my self as well as every one of my
siblings.
She was there for me when I was sick and I knew her as the
“water lady” Every time she came over she would make sure that I had water. If
I didn’t she would bring me a giant cup and say, “Drink your water. It will
save your life.” To be honest I think it did. I hated it and I hated water but
I really do think it was a big factor in my survival.
Joanne lives right next to a soccer field. I would run to
the field, train and then go visit her after. She would tell me that it was
“too hot to play” or “I train to much” and then make me sit down next to her
and drink a “big glass of water” as well as make me eat. Every time I go over
there she wants to give me something of hers whether it is a small gesture of
food or literally something from her wardrobe. I think she would give me her
left arm if she could. She is the most
generous and best person I have ever met.
We talk about anything and everything. When I go over and
visit I know I will be there for at least 2 hours and I enjoy every second of
it.
When Meghan died I had a really hard time. I started to
become really homesick.. On top of that that the club I was coaching for
screwed me over $1000.. I had worked my ass of for that money and did not get
very much to say the least. So I had nothing.
I was thinking of
quitting playing and I missed my family. My family was struggling with a lot
then, financially and other things. I did not want to add my sorrows onto their
shoulders as well.
Joanne called me. I was sitting outside on this bench and I
told her about Meghan and that I wanted to quit playing and drop out of school.
My grades were bad, soccer did not feel right and I just felt horrible. She
asked me if I missed my family.. I said yes. She asked, “Do they know?” I said
“no.” I was crying quite hysterically at this point and she gave me some of the
best advice I could get. “TELL THEM. TELL THEM HOW YOU FEEL. They miss you to.
It will be ok.”
I told them and went home for Easter and it was the best
thing for me; to go home and to see the people I love. Then it also made me realize
how much I loved Florida and that I need to straighten out. My grades went up
but soccer still didn’t feel the same. Not until I met Tracy Jones at
soccerplus (another conversation that had a major impact on my life)
Last week I received some extremely sad news. Joanne’s daughter has Parkinson’s disease; she
passed away at a young age. My heart broke..
I called Joanne and when she picked up the phone and said
hello I could hear and feel this extreme sadness that I have never felt from
her and then she heard that it was me on the other line and that sadness turned
into this extreme joy.. It was like I took this sadness from her, even if it
was just for just for a second. It took everything in me not to start crying on
the phone. This call just gave her so much joy. She was so happy to talk to me.
A simple phone call… I am one of her
joys. She is mine.
I have my last game with Tyreso today. There is so much I
have to thank them for.. I found my soccer joy. When I play I want to spread
that. I want people to come watch me play so I can be the reason to make a
difference, to make someone happy. To be a joy.. So many bad things happen everyday all
around the world.. But then you have moments, moments of joy. Cherish these
moments and spread it.
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