My Senior Picture...

...is not accessible right now. It's in storage. :) But I would choose to share this picture anyway.

In high school, there was nothing I liked more than playing basketball. I played 3-4 hours a day, every day. And I was in heaven. I couldn't get enough.

This is a picture of me walking off the court at the end my last high school basketball game. A local newspaper photographer caught this image as my teammate Shelly congratulated me one last time. This shot perfectly captures how I was feeling in the moment. Despondent. I was going to miss this so much. Honestly, I still do.

When people ask me about my high school memories, basketball is what I think of most. I can hear my Adidas squeaking on the court, feel the basketball as an extension of my hand, smell the musty, old locker room. My locker was #1002 and the combination was 3-5-47. I can still tell you how best to get the ball to each teammate on every play. And I don't believe I've ever laughed harder than I did on the bus to and from our games. Fun times!

I learned so much from basketball. Loyalty, hard work, collaboration, leadership, for instance. I learned how to bounce back from disappointment. I learned how to push myself beyond what I thought I could do. I learned how to be coachable and practice humility. And so much more.

I cannot imagine the loss I would've felt had my last season been unexpectedly shut down as many of our senior athletes are experiencing now. All seniors are feeling a sense of loss. I am seeing so many musicians and singers putting together a virtual substitute for their performances. I've tried so hard to think about how to capture at least a bit of the spirit that exists playing on a sports team in a similar manner. But how do I capture the harmony I contributed in my role as point guard to the other players on the court via Zoom?

To spring season senior athletes, I see you. I empathize with the loss you must be feeling. And I hope you are taking care of yourselves, doing what you can to remain fueled by your passion of working out in the sport you love.

Take a look at this video from Nike (by Wieden + Kennedy). Your sacrifice is a part of the story described in it, of those making a difference and saving lives. And I hope that some special homecoming exists for you and your teams next year, to celebrate one another in person, perhaps on the track, field, court, etc. 

For now, #StayStrong #StayHealthy and know that #YouAreTheLight