In our high school, during lunch, someone was always playing a game of pick-up basketball. One day, someone asked me to play. I had practiced many evening at my best friend’s house and thought, sure, why not. I do not know why, perhaps it was my lucky day, but I played my heart out and scored 32 points. To make the game even better, the scored was tied with time running out. We had possession and headed up court form the play. Someone passed me the ball and I drove it up to within about fifteen feet from the rim. I was going to pass the ball to someone else I thought had a better shot, but he shouted back, take it, take the shot. I set my feet and tossed the ball and it was nothing but net! I got another standing ovation!

After high school, I played in a softball league. I played shortstop and we had a very good team. Our first baseman, who was out town mayor, actually got sixteen hits in a row over several games. We had a good pitcher and made it to the championship game. It was a nice sunny day when the game began. In the very first inning, the lead-off batter hit a lob just over our third baseman’s head. I leaped behind him and caught the ball. As I turned around, he said, did you really catch that? I nodded and tossed the ball around the horn. The next batter hit a ball high over the second baseman’s head. I ran like crazy, jumped as high as I could and snow-coned the ball in my glove. The crowd went wild. I heard the opposing coach say to his team, don’t hit the ball to that side. However , the very next batter hit a hard rap that went straight to me. I threw him out and got the third standing ovation of my life.

My sports days are over, but the memories are so precious to me. I have told these stories to everyone I ever talk to about sports. They tell me their glory day moments. So all you youngsters out there playing sports, do not take your special moments for granted. The feelings of your accomplishments will last your lifetime.