Lilly

I waited for this moment for exactly four months, and now it’s here. We had our first practice of the high school season last night. I barely had time to think about the calf cramps and the burn of air in my lungs between push-ups and resistance sprints. With only two weeks until our first game—and against our longtime rivals, no less—to cram everything we can into daily two-hour sessions, knowing that we have to be game-fit and sharp on the ball when the time comes. But I felt good. I may not be the fastest sprinter or the best distance runner, but I keep plowing through whatever task is assigned to me, and when you put me on the ball, I will wriggle my way through any space I am allowed. I felt agile and confident and tough, even when the going got hard. When you love the process as much as the result, it’s easy to smile, even through the pain. ♦