~:[CH5 - Day 321]:~ Generations

~:[CH5 - Day 321]:~ Generations

The day was a little crazy. My video camera stopped working, I couldn't complete the registration I needed to and I was rushing around trying to get things done. However, with all the craziness going on around me, I fell into my place of relaxation. I sat and watched as the boys ran together, focused, and ready to go. They enjoyed each other's company, yet knew the mission that stood before them. In that moment, I thought to myself how no amount of "winning" could ever match the moments I have been able to share with my team these past few weeks. Something within me melted, as I saw how the team mended together, as they laughed, they cried and even got some well deserved recognition. However, nothing could be as touching as having an alumni join us for dinner. Someone who was a vital part of our program and someone that showed us that despite the odds that may be stacked against you, that you must be persistent and never back down. He showed me a lot about life and as things slowed down, I found my place of relaxation, as the smiles and laughter, the moments of ohana of connection, soothed my soul. There have been so many difficult moments in my lifetime that I pray others may never experience within their lifetimes, however, today, I saw even more on how this program, has helped heal me. While I hear so many coaches talk about topping the charts, rankings, and more, many things that I also focused on, I begun to ask myself, how I could not see what I see right now. Qualifying for CIF Finals was an amazing feat and has felt so incredible, however, it was not the reason why the moment was so special. As I looked around at CIF Prelims, I saw the faces of athletes who raced their hearts out, who overachieved, and who pushed their limits together. They celebrated together, they cried together, yet they succeeded together. They weathered the storms and found a rainbow at the end of it all. As Edwards spoke to them, when he said, what he missed most about it all would be the moments he had with his teammates, I knew that all the generations before and after would be alright. as while a league title or even a trip to CIF Finals is quite the amazing feat, it is the quality time, the struggles and accomplishments, the moments of connections, and the feeling of ohana that is truly what allows us to "win" at life. As while my trophy case may be filled with awards and recognition, it will always pale in comparison to the lifetime bonds and memories you create with generation after generation of athletes and what I saw tonight simply proved it. I will hope for an amazing race on Saturday, but at the end of the day, I know that we already won. As in the darkest of moments, we came together and pushed through until we could see the light once more as we continued to stride forward together as one ohana.