Done!
It's a bit hard to believe I will no longer get to watch my oldest niece play softball anymore. I wouldn't say the sport has defined her for most of her life, but it has definitely been a big part of her identity. Yes, she played basketball too for a time, but her heart was always solidly planted on the softball field.
It was a little bittersweet the other day when I read the post she had published on social media thanking the sport of softball for all of the many years and lessons it had given her. Just five short months ago my oldest niece was surprised by a new sport called parenthood and it has been interesting to see how her priorities have shifted ever since that big change in her life.
I can't say I didn't see it coming though, despite the short preparation window, she has taken to being mom with a grace and heart that you would expect from some of the best. She is just an absolute natural. Even after becoming a mom, she still stayed on her university team with the intent of coming back. She didn't travel with them, but she was still on the roster and she still had a locker in the locker room.
That is finished now. I'm guessing with the current semester coming to an end she had to make an official decision about her future with the softball program.
And here we are, it's the end of an era.
Yes, we still have her younger sister to watch, and my youngest niece is going to start playing this year as well. In addition to that, I have very little doubt my niece will end up coaching one day, and there is a high probability her daughter will one day pick up the bat and glove and follow in her mother's footsteps.
I'm so proud of my niece. I can see how this might have been a really hard decision for her as well as a no-brainer. It definitely puts a lot of things in perspective for you. I'll always treasure the time I spent watching number 24 on the field.
Sports Talk Social - @bozz.sports
Posted Using INLEO