I remember my recruiting trip to
Florida Southern so clearly. I met my first two Swedes; Linda Hoglund and Anna-Sara
Sedin. They were a big reason why I
choose to go to Florida Southern.
The next year Anna-Sara was not at the school; all I heard was that she was in Chicago. I found out that she had been
diagnosed with lung cancer in 2008… and past away January 7th 2012… The same day as Meghan… I still don't understand why and my heart will always be heavy on this day..
I met Anna-Sara quite a few times during my years at Florida Southern and I am so honored for the very short amount of time we had together... some of our
conversations are ones I will never forget… She knew what life was really about..
“F.E.A.R
Forget Everything And Run
OR
FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE”
In anything in life, it is about making the
choice… Making the choice to be the best, making the decision to do whatever it
takes no matter what happens or what others say... Letting go. EXCELLENCE IS A
CHOICE… A DECISION.
When Anna Sara was diagnosed with Lung Cancer
she did not have much time… She decided ok then I will travel, really live! She made
the choice to let go and truly live!!
Anna Sara comes from a small place near Sundsvall. My first year in Sweden I played against her old team in the Swedish cup. I
contacted her brother and he came to the game!!
The day
before the game, my team was saying “They are one division higher… They are one
of the top teams. We are just division two. We are going to lose but at least
we get good food...”
This made me angrier and angrier... They have
already made the choice to lose before even stepping on the field!! They already
made the choice to be lower than what they could be… That is a disgrace… Those thoughts… That is
an excuse. That is FEAR…. THAT IS RUNNING.
Why do anything if you are going into it like
you are going to fail??? I wrote to the team that night about my thoughts and
everything changed… They made the choice to strive for excellence.
We came to
this game focused. We did not win, but the fight my team had was more than
anything I could ask for... All we could do at the end of the game was shake
their hands because we gave them everything we had and we did not stop until
that final whistle blew! I was so proud to be apart of IFK Gavle on this day!!
I met her brother after and we were both crying...
Now I am on my way back to Sundsvall… This time
as a head coach in the Elitettan. The youngest coach, girl, blah blah... So
much has happened. We have had a rough
start, lots of talk, adversity, etc. Every player is capable of so much more
than they think but it is a choice you have to make and it is a great choice if
you really take it. I told my team before the game that we have to make the
CHOICE and make the choice TOGETHER! WE
HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOICE TO PLAY LIKE WINNERS, TO WIN, TO BE EXCELLENT. TO DREAM!!! Lets dream together!! Lets make that choice together, to FACE
EVERYTHING AND RISE.
Anna Sara did not have much time, but she decided to make her last time (which turned into years) the
most worthy she could. She let go and lived longer than expected... So now we have a choice... A choice to
play , a choice to strive for excellence, a chance to enjoy. Let's be like Anna
Sara by letting go and making THE CHOICE TO LIVE!!"
