One of those many moments I now remember was my mom walking up to my college coach, Kateri Linville, and holding her hand. She did it again and again, tailgate after tailgate. I caught myself feeling slightly embarrassed because she could not speak — she could not say thank you in words. But those uncomfortable moments were ones where she said everything I needed to know with a simple connection. My mom knew that I was in the right place with the right people. My coaches, Kateri and Kristen Hopson, always created a space where they would just listen, ask thoughtful questions and provide perspective. I never felt safer and more scared at the same time. Playing lacrosse in college freed me up to lose myself in the experience and find a meaningful career path.
Throughout my mom’s decade-long battle, my dad would always say, “Mom is teaching us all a lesson.” It didn’t always feel that way. It felt hard. It felt like the person I loved most in my life was constantly changing, losing something, and none of it seemed fair. Kind of like how we all feel about living through a pandemic and the rapid spread of COVID. This virus is creating unknowns, forcing us to be adaptable and teaching us that the moments where we can play are meaningful beyond what we ever knew. Even if we didn’t ask for this. Even if it feels unfair.
As coaches, we learn how to win and lose. We win more when we take on challenges together, and we gain everything by creating connections with our people. My mom gave me the courage to return to campus and taught me that unknowns are part of each season of life. She showed me grace, appreciation, love and grit. These lessons are with me every day and are applicable in these weird and unknown times. We’re all longing to return to campus, to play, to see our teammates, to find normalcy. We need to have grace, appreciation for the present, love for the game and grit. We can still create connections despite these circumstances. Every time we walk out on the field it is a gift. My mom taught me how to show up, how to trust the process, how to lead during uncertainty and how to have fun. My hope is to lead like her.
We’re playing right now, we’re on the field. There is a stick in your hand and your teammates are by your side. Does it look different than you probably imagined? Absolutely. But we’re here, with our people. Let’s come together as a team, look at each day as a gift and find OUR win during COVID.