People Who Matter...

People who matter, all people matter, I am speaking of the people in our lives - the gifts of love and friendship. Last night a group a girls I have known, well some for 17 years, we had a get together. Most of them I have not seen in over three years. We are softball players. Softball brought us all together. We played volleyball, and basketball - but we are softball players. It was just an amazing evening. As I looked around the room, recalling memories of each girl (I guess woman would be more appropriate, it just does not sound right.) As I looked at each of them I could recall the gift each brought to my life - There is Debbie; non-stop motion and non-stop competitive with a heart as big as this Earth itself. I  know if  called Debbie, even if we had not spoken in years, she would be there for me. She always tried to get me to go white water rafting; I said I only would if I could be in her boat because I knew she would protect me. That was Debbie's gift; she always made me feel safe. Natalie, work and work and work and make your life what you want it, always with a smile. Natalie overcomes obstacles she does not go around them she goes through them. Natalie, she gave me the gift of not feeling like I was the only one who struggled - we use to sit out in the parking lot at Brookside and talk - Natalie gave me the gift of belonging. Shelly, Shelly has a personality which people gravitate towards. She is a person you want to be around. Good times or bad she remains steady. Her wit a dry martini - dirty of course. Shelly, well she makes me feel important - she calls me coach -Shelly offers love without condition.  Shelly and Debbie are two different peas in the same pod - If they went on the Amazing Race they would win - and listening to them verbally spar would be such fun. Barb, dear Barb - don't misplay a ball or overrun a base - Debbie is competitive Barb is on a whole other level. Her black pants and black jacket - she puts her body in front of the ball and stops it - chest, legs, face - does not matter. She also has a heart of gold and the spirit of a survivor. Barb gave me the gift of perspective; remembering it is the team and the people.  Melanie, goodness Melanie - poor blonde no matter what color you dye your hair Melanie, Melanie will find humor in everything. She plays hard but playing ball is about being with the people - Melanie plays ball so she can gossip, drink a beer, and talk. Then she goes out on the mound and throws strikes. How she stands there fearless, with this big bruising guys up there - I will never know but will always admire. Q, LaQuanda, living the life, living the dream - playing for the love of the game - working hard to move ahead - Q always looks ahead, no time to waste on what you cannot change, get on with it already. Kim was there. I know I have not seen her in at least 13 years. We hugged and kissed like it was only yesterday. Fire, Kim must be a fire sign because she is full of fire and love. She to a pitcher, back in the day she was the best. Our team had a 44 game win streak  - We didn't wear uniforms, we were not slick looking like so many of the teams we played against - a group of misfits - but we could play ball. A team is only as strong as it weakest link, I held that distinction. I was the weakest length on every team we played on - I knew it, I never felt it. Not one of those girls would put me as the weakest length. I played as hard as I could. I used my brain to make up for my lack of physical skills. How wonderful it is to have these memories. We should not let such time pass without a "hello." Gifts, these wonderful girls, they are gifts - we should open them more often. Yes, from each of my softball girls I learned, from each I receive a gift, from each I had another hole in my heart healed. It is good to know such love. We just need to celebrate it more! Thanks ladies, thanks for every single darn second!