Thankful

Well, I did it again. I told myself that I was really going to try and keep up with my blog throughout this volleyball season. And I have clearly failed, but I think the rest of this post will help explain why. Because in the spirit of my absolute favorite holiday, here’s your annual “Thankful” post. And it will likely be a novel, but would you really expect anything less?

My students are thankful for some really wonderful things

Man, it's hard to believe that 2016 is about to come to a close. That I'm almost halfway through my third year of teaching. 

Because honestly, I think we can all agree that it was a toss-up as to whether I was going to make it through year one. Which brings me to a couple of conversations that I've had so far this year. One of which was with an assistant principal at school, who told me that could she give out a "Most Improved" Award, she would have given it to me. And my initial reaction was "Thanks, but man, no one wants a Most Improved Award. That pretty much means you sucked, for lack of a better word, the first time around." But then I got to thinking about what “Most Improved” really means. I definitely struggled my first year - two preps, a sport, and floating - and that was noticeable. But by the grace of God I managed to sign a contract for year two, and the improvement I made and the confidence I gained - that was also noticeable. Because I was - and am - lucky enough to be surrounded by such a fantastic group of teachers and admins and counselors who truly push me to be better every single day that I walk into that 60-year-old building. 

They help me to get outside my comfort zone in the classroom, reassure me that it's good to try new things, and that it's even okay to fail. Which I'll admit is hard for me, and I'll come back to that in a minute. And they encourage me every single step of the way. I don't deserve most of the words thrown my way, but man, they are appreciated more than the people giving them out will likely ever know.

I'm thankful for the challenging opportunity to teach a new-to-me class this year, and for every one of my students. I'm thankful for the work they put in every single day, their willingness to do hard things, their respect for one another - most of the time. I'm thankful for the smiles they put on my face, the questions they ask that I don't always know the answers to, the real-world conversations that the literature we read allow us to have. 

I'm thankful for their stories, and that they are willing to share even a small slice of them with me. The tears I had streaming down my face as I read and listened to their "This I Believe" essays opened up my eyes to a world of challenges and experiences that I had certainly never known. I'm thankful for a stack of papers to grade that is taller than I am, because that means their work is being turned in.

For pencils that are borrowed because that means their work is being done. For lessons in patience, and grace that is shown to me on a daily basis. For former students who wave hi in the halls, and those who stop by my classroom on random days just to chat. And a job that is something new each and every day.

And I think we can all agree that 2016 has been a year for the record books. I'm thankful for the right to have my voice heard, and for those who fought tirelessly for that right.

I'm thankful for the opportunity to show love and kindness and respect and tolerance for those who may be different from me, and who may have different beliefs than I have. Because in the end, we're all human beings. Regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, political views, or the sports teams we support. Though if you support the Cowboys... And as strange as it was to stand up in front of a group of teenagers on November 9^th, who were looking for answers and reassurance and a lot of things that I couldn’t necessarily provide, I'm thankful that I can provide a safe place within the walls of my classroom. I also continue to be thankful that I have a classroom. Even if it is somewhere around 54 degrees 90% of the time. 

And I'm still running. More than ever actually.  Because someone decided to pull me aside and tell me of the potential he sees in me. And continues to encourage and believe in me every step of the way. And who also tells me the hard truth every once in a while, but I've found it to be necessary. I'm thankful for a competitive drive and discipline and a body that lets me push it to its limit. For the failed runs I've had that have driven me to get it done the next time, and for the really big wins I've had, too. Because they're all pulling that big Boston dream just a little bit more within my reach.

Team Bellaire is #CardinalFast

And volleyball. I will always be thankful for what that sport gave to me, and what it continues to give to me – this time, from the other side. I wrapped up my third year of coaching with an undefeated district championship, and that is such a testament to the hardworking group of girls I had the privilege of coaching. Even on my toughest days, and trust me, there are tough days, I’m reminded how much of a privilege coaching really is. Sure, I’m proud of the tournament we won, and I was thrilled to win a district championship, but I’m most proud of the improvement they made throughout the course of the season. From day one to day 86, each and every one of the girls made tremendous improvement. And what’s better than their athletic ability is their outstanding character. I’m thankful for each one of my girls, and it was an honor to be their coach. Sure, I get paid to teach them the fundamentals of volleyball, but they give me infinitely more in return.

I'm thankful for my family and friends - who understand how crazy my schedule is from August to November. For my dad when I called him sobbing - honestly, pretty much every day from August 8^th to August 21^st - about how I hadn't seen my friends in weeks because inservice and two-a-days and running and all he did was reassure me that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. And that was exactly what I needed to hear. I’m thankful for my mom always being only a phone call away, who tells me I’m doing a good job and that she’s proud of me, and who still tells me to bring my laundry home with me.

For a brother who braves the BHS parking lot and brings me lunch on his way home from College Station, even though it’s really not on his way home at all. For Wednesday phone calls with Gram. I’m thankful for Wednesday walks with Sarah, when we talk about everything under the sun. For chill dinners and hours spent sitting on the couch drinking (sipping, in my case) beer, watching football, and catching up. For hour-long phone conversations. For pick-up sand volleyball games with friends I've known since we were six. 

For friendships that pick up right where we left off, just like no time at all has passed.

And Mack the Beagle. He celebrated his first birthday on August 23^rd, and his first “Gotcha Day” on October 18^th. There aren’t enough words on this earth to explain how much this dog means to me, and how loved I feel every single day upon walking through the front door. He’s my partner in crime, and my reminder that there is so much good in the world. I’m thankful for that 4:27am alarm each morning because that means I’ve got a healthy, happy, full of energy dog who keeps me active and moving almost every hour of the day. I’m thankful for his wagging tail and his playful disposition and of course, his floppy ears.

I'm thankful for meaningful conversations that sometimes mean I don't get to cross every item off of my to-do list, but mean more than an X inside a box would. I'm thankful for dairy-free chocolate, to be a Texas Longhorn, for College Football Saturdays. I'm thankful for warm blankets and good books and coworkers who bring me food on the daily.

I'm thankful for the means and the opportunity to travel and experience a culture that is so different from my own, for letters in the mail, for a fully stocked refrigerator, for a short commute to work, for a functioning water cooler in the third floor lounge,

If this isn't an expression of pure elation, I don't know what is

for cooler(ish) weather, for a roof over my head, and for sunrises and sunsets that take my breath away.

And I'm really thankful for a little break from school. I finished all of my grading before the final bell rang at 3:15, and I'm probably not going to think about it until I walk up the stairs to the third floor Monday morning. Okay, that’s a lie, but I’m going to soak up as much family, friend, and relaxation time as I possibly can. Because leave it to my body to feel under the weather over a holiday break, though I guess I’m thankful for that timing because I hate missing work. So on that note, I’ll continue lounging on the couch with my pup, preparing my body for all the miles I’m going to run tomorrow and all the food I’m going to eat. And to end this in the cheesiest way possible, I’m thankful for all of you who are reading this, despite my three-month fitnessandfroyo hiatus. I can’t promise I’ll be more regular with my posts, but I sure will try!

A Letter To My Former Coaches

Should I have titled this post An Open Letter To My Former Coaches, as open letters seem to be all the rage these days? I've actually had this post in mind for a while now - it came to me in the middle of club volleyball season - but I'm just now getting around to putting pen to paper. Or fingers to keyboard. But the timing works out, as we are just days away from the start of the high school volleyball season. The months during which so many of my favorite high school memories were made. And I absolutely love having the opportunity to still be involved with the sport, this time, from the other side.

Coaching - even for as few years as I have done it - has given me such a feeling of appreciation for all the coaches I've had along the way. From soccer to teeball to swimming to basketball to track to a short stint with golf and gymnastics, and finally, volleyball, I've had some pretty incredible coaches along the way, so this one goes out to you guys.

Thank you for your time. This is the biggest one, in my opinion. You thought you gave a lot of time as a player, well, that's only a fraction of the time a coach gives. And I look at my head coach and I see even how much more time she dedicates to the sport and the development of her athletes. But not only does a coach have to give the time that is reserved for practice and games, but there's the time spent planning practice and workouts and thinking up lineups and maybe some team bonding activities. And BPal took the time to write us gameday notes ... every single gameday. And I still have almost all of them tucked away in a binder. And Coach A took the time to put together the most badass (sorry, this is really the only way to describe them) scouting reports, so we were more than ready to face our opponents. And while I obviously don't have a family to come home to and care for - though I would argue that taking care of a puppy is fairly similar - that doesn't mean I'm not still giving my time. I've missed out on trips with my best friends because of a Saturday tournament. I've missed out on things simply because I come home from practice or a game and pass out on my couch, and nothing in me wants to shower and attempt to look presentable or be social. I've had to readjust my running schedule - running nine or ten miles on a Saturday night because I was coaching a tournament all day in Alvin. And all of that is okay because I love being a coach. I've realized how much time and energy goes into being a coach, and I'm glad each one of you chose to give me that time.

Thank you for never letting me settle for less than my best. I can remember this practice so vividly, my senior year of playoffs, the practice just before the start of the regional tournament. I was worn down to the ground as I worked on blocking (a skill 5'5" me definitely needed to practice), and after what I thought was a particularly good round, I thought for sure I had earned a break. Maybe we could move onto something else. I turned back to my coach and all she said was, "Okay, again. This time, focus on doing it this way." Because she knew I could always be better than what I thought was my best.

Thank you for teaching me the value of sportsmanship. Whether it was to be a humble winner or a gracious loser (and trust me, this is not easy when you lose to Cinco Ranch - for the third time that year - in the regional finals), the expectations always remained the same. I was taught never to argue with the referees, as they truly have the hardest job of all. I will admit that I forget that sometimes. I was taught to shake the hands of the officials at the end of each match, a practice I take with me to this day, and one I try to pass along to my girls. Much like it is with the President of the United States, someone is always mad at the official. But we couldn't play the game without them.

Thank you for really showing me that hard work always beats talent. Maybe not always in the final score, but absolutely in the long run. When I could not do one more second of wall sits, and I thought about just staying on the ground during the next burpee, thanks for pushing me and teaching me the value of working hard and pushing through, even when it hurts. Maybe that was because we would start all over if someone quit, but hey, it worked all the same. You taught me that you could have the most talented group of players in the world, but if they chose to rest on that talent instead of work hard to get better, they'll never find success. Those who work hard find success.

Thank you for caring for me beyond just being another player to pass through the program. You were someone I could talk to - heck, many of you I still talk to - when I had a problem (aka almost getting a B in art class). You took the time to get to know my family and what else was important to me and you cared about my development, not only as a player, but as a person.

Thank you for continuing to make the sport FUN. So many athletes lose that along the way with the Friday night practices and the tournaments every weekend and the extra conditioning and the private lessons and so on and so forth. And while it was lots and lots and lots of hard work, I rarely lost sight of the little girl who fell in love with the game(s) and the thrill of competition and the adrenaline rush that comes with an intense, never-ending rally when the opposing team has match point. 

You taught me the value of timeliness, you wanted each and every one of your players to succeed, not just on the court, but off of it, as well. You taught me how to be driven and determined and how to be obedient and that it's okay to be a quiet leader. And each one of these "lessons" that I have learned are applicable in all aspects of my life. And as I reflect on the incredible coaches that I've had, I realize how much of an impact each one of them had on my life. And I hope I carry a little bit of each one of them within me as long as I hold the title of "Coach".

Thankful

Whoa, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on this little blog of mine. And it’s not as though it hasn’t been on the back of my mind. Because it absolutely has. I feel a little twinge of guilt each time I opt to do something else in favor of writing. It’s no excuse, because life is busy for everyone, but I feel as though I’ve been moving a million miles a minute these past few months. And with a new addition to the family – more on that to come – spare time has been hard to come by. But I’m hoping I still have a few readers left after this over-a-month hiatus. And even if I don’t, I’ll still take this time to write down who and what I’m thankful for.

TXU Turkey Trot - a Thanksgiving morning tradition five years running

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday – great food, family time, many of my friends are all in the same city, a little vacay from the chaos of high school freshmen, and the best part of all, a reason to give thanks. It’s something I should – and I really do try! – to practice every day, but I’m glad for an excuse to reflect on what I am truly thankful for. I read an article the other day that focused on the importance of choosing to be grateful, especially for the seemingly small things. I absolutely loved that reminder. It's easy to be thankful for the big, important things, but some days, it's all you have to be thankful for the chocolate chips in your morning yogurt. And now, it's time for what has turned into a yearly tradition - what I'm thankful for.

I’m thankful for a job. And not just a job, but a job that I absolutely love. I firmly believe that I get to teach the best kids (most of the time) at the best school with the very best people. It’s funny to think back to a year ago, when I was saying these things, because I thought it was selfish of me to not like my job, but not actually meaning them.  This year, I really and truly mean them. Sure, there are days where I question my sanity – who voluntarily spends a majority of their day with 15-year-olds? But I’m at a place where I love going to work each day, and that’s not something everyone gets to say. My students work hard, they make me proud, they make me sigh, they make me laugh, and just the other day I was sitting on a desk with my class of 34, reading and discussing Book 9 of The Odyssey, when it hit me that I’ve really got the best job in the world. And then there are days when you kick two students out in the first five minutes but hey, you can’t win them all.

On that same note, I’m thankful for a classroom to call my own. It may be 95 degrees and rising one day, and 50 degrees with the air conditioning blowing the next, but what a difference having your own classroom makes. And I even have a window. So I must be doing something right in the BHS world.

 

From a classroom-on-a-cart to...

A room with a view

I’m thankful for the opportunity to stay involved with the sport that gave me so much as a player. Being a coach is hard, and I’d be lying if I said I knew what I was doing more than half the time. But that means I never stop learning, and it has made me want to go back to each and every one of my coaches throughout the years to tell them just how much I appreciate them, and all of the hard work that they put in to not only teaching me the sport of volleyball or basketball or soccer, but for teaching me the value of hard work, a good attitude, and demonstrating good sportsmanship. I absolutely love taking off my teaching hat and putting on my coaching hat. I love to think that I can be a role model for at least one of the girls, the way that so many of my coaches were for me. My girls exhausted me and made me laugh and taught me new dance moves and worked really, really hard, and they made the long days at school 100% worth it.

Proud of my girls for owning the 90's apparel

When former players come back to visit

And to add to that, I’m thankful to work with the very best coaching crew around. To Ap, Todd, and Melissa, you guys are the greatest, and I just love working with you guys! You guys are patient with me, you encourage me, you’re always there to teach me the coaching ropes, and with all of the time that we spend together, I never get tired of being around y’all. And that’s a rarity. You guys make coaching fun!

 

We also take up eight seats on the bench

I think I say this every year, but this year I’m especially thankful for two healthy legs that allow me to run. Training for a marathon is no easy feat, but I am constantly amazed by my body and how it carries me to new distances. This past weekend I ran my longest distance to date – 15.5 miles – and I honestly felt as though I could have run all day. I didn’t, but I like to say that I could have completed at least one more loop around Memorial Drive. The shin splints back in February and March that kept me on the sideline for a few weeks were so hard for me, because running is my very favorite “me time.” It’s time to think and process and shake things off, so not a run goes by where I’m not grateful for two strong, healthy legs. Even if my volleyball players tell me that “I have big legs.” I’ll take them.

I’m thankful for the greatest friends in all the land. From Houston to Dallas to Corpus Christi to Austin to New York City to Chicago to San Francisco to Uganda; from teaching to accounting to medical school to banking to law school to fashion design, we cover lots of fields in lots of areas. And I’m learning that the real world makes it hard to keep in touch sometimes. Life gets in the way, and suddenly it’s been weeks since I’ve asked my friends how they’re doing, or since I’ve caught up with them over frozen yogurt. But no matter the distance, and no matter the varying interests, each one of them has given me so much – laughter, advice, hugs, walks, late night chats, encouraging texts – and I’m just not sure what I would do without y’all.

I’m thankful for the gift of travel, and along with that, new experiences. It goes without saying that teaching is a travel-lover’s dream job, and I’m thankful for the greatest summer of discovering new places and trying new things. I posted about this before, but scuba diving was something I never thought I would do. Ever. It scared the heck out of me, so when Cheyney called me and asked me if I wanted to get scuba certified with her, I couldn’t believe I was actually saying yes. But I think the fact that it was an excuse to travel to Cozumel had a little something to do with it. And I fell in love with the sport, and I hope wherever I travel to this summer grants me the opportunity to explore the underwater world. And maybe it wasn’t quite as adventurous, but I am thankful all the same for a cousin who let me invade his studio apartment in the heart of New York City. I fell in love with the city that never sleeps (don’t worry, I absolutely did), and I certainly couldn’t have experienced all that I did without a cousin who gave me a place to stay.

That gives me the perfect opportunity to segway into family. Wow, have I got the best family around. Call me biased, but I think they’re the best. From the moment we were born, my parents have always centered their lives around my brother and me. Always doing what was best for us, always redoing their schedules so that we could do what we wanted to do. And they never gave it a second thought. And I never really realized how much they sacrificed. How hard it can be to drop your daughter off for 6am basketball practice, to then pick me up immediately after school and drive 30 minutes (without traffic) to volleyball practice three nights a week. To shuttle me from Girl Scout meetings to swim team practice to YoungLife, and making sure I ate a (somewhat) healthy dinner along the way. Who put aside their own desires to take trips with me to Indiana and Minnesota for volleyball tournaments, and to Cooperstown for baseball tournaments. Who gave their kids the world, and who still give their kids the world. You guys are the greatest support system, and I’m truly not sure where I would be without you.

And remember that new addition to the family? World, meet Mack Tomlinson. My 13-week-old beagle puppy. Who has brought me more joy than I ever thought possible. Who has given me puncture wounds and kept me up at night, but who has taught me what love really is. I love being his mom – taking him on walks, playing with him, chasing after him, and giving him his forever home. When I was just beginning to think about calling him mine, my dad told me, “Kel, you realize this is a 15-year commitment, right?” The best commitment I ever could have made. He’s got endless energy and floppy ears that will break hearts one day. He’s friendly and loving and I’m just so glad he’s mine.

Yes, he's named after Mack Brown

I’m thankful for a roof over my head, a car that gets me from point A to point B, KSBJ Monday morning texts, sunshine and fall weather, health and happiness, and a God who continues to chase after me, even when he’s far from the front of my mind. For friends who hold me accountable, for warm socks and fuzzy blankets, for Longhorn football and dairy-free chocolate. 

For time to read every now and again, 

for volunteer opportunities, for traffic-filled commutes that let me jam to my favorite music, and for my beloved KitchenAid Stand Mixer. For words of affirmation and immature jokes, for mentors, and for a glass of white wine after a long, long day. For hope in a world that is so often broken, for those who fight selflessly for our freedom. 

For a wise vet who takes good care of my sweet Mack, for days when I get to see the sun rise and set, for group texts, and last but not least, for all of YOU for continuing to read this blog. I’m great about posting, and then I neglect it for a month. But your kind words about it – big and small – mean so much to me. So, here’s to a blogging comeback!

I hope you all enjoy a fabulous Thanksgiving – full of family and loved ones, friends, delicious food (wear your stretchy pants!), and football (Hook’em Horns!). Spend a little bit of time thinking about what you’re thankful for – because it's so much more life-giving to focus on what you do have, rather than on what you don't.