Just an Attempt

I worked my entire life to get into college and to at the sport of basketball. It has taken me to places that I otherwise would never have gone. It has given me the opportunity to make relationships that otherwise I would never have made. Through all the practices and games, I kept learning as a student of the game. I take after my dad when it comes to that. We always watch basketball at home whether it be high school, college, or professional and something that I will always remember is how my dad is always drawing up plays he sees other teams run on the tv. I have taken that from him and started my own notebook of plays that if I need something I can look at and draw something up. Basketball has always been a part of my life. My first basketball game was when I was only nine days old. As soon as I could handle the responsibility, I became a ball boy for my dad's teams. I was always the kid shooting at halftime or after the games. Both of my parents have had an everlasting effect on my life, not just with basketball. But I want to talk about hoops right now. My mom never gets enough credit about her when she played at Portland State. She is an all-time great there and is often overlooked because she had all boys and we are always at our games. Growing up, she coached all of my basketball teams. I have always had a parent as a coach. As soon as high school rolled around, I went from playing for my mom to playing for my dad. I think that has added to why it is so hard being done with my playing days. I played for my dad in high school, and people always ask me if I called him "Coach" when we were in a game or practice? And I can honestly say that I never called him "Coach" but always called him "Dad." I can't count all the times where my dad and I would go up to the gym and shoot and he would rebound for me. I would miss a shot that lead to the ball rolling across the gym and my dad would always chase after it. Little things like that will always make my experiences better than everyone else's.  I will never be able to tell both of them how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate all the support they have given me through all of the years. Basketball ended last year and I decided to continue playing collegiate sports and focus on baseball. Although I went from being a four-year starter in basketball to a bullpen pitcher that seldom pitched, I still felt like a vital part of a team. The relationships that I have made with the baseball team will last for the rest of my life. I have accomplished things that I didn't see coming when I entered college and I don't regret a thing. These last two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster with graduating and just now finishing up my collegiate athletics career. Graduation is supposed to be a happy day where you celebrate your accomplishments and although I am incredibly happy to be done with undergraduate classes, it really hit me during the ceremony about all the good things that I have experienced. There are too many to talk about, but seeing my parents, brother, girlfriend and other friends and family just made me realize how special it has been. In all honesty, I sat in the shower tearing up thinking about all I have done. I don't overly know how to classify those tears, but I know they aren't sad ones. After settling down from the graduation emotions, my baseball team traveled down to Southern California to play in the Opening Round of the NAIA World Series. It was a crazy ride, but after three games, we lost and are done with our season. The team consisted of a lot of seniors and after the final out was recorded, the crying came right back. I saw my dad and went right to him and gave him a huge hug and thanked him for my parents always coming to all of my games. It was one of the most special moments of my life and I will always remember it. I was standing with him and there were other seniors that didn't have their parents there and it made it even worse because I knew how special it is for me to have my parents at all of my games. I rode back to the hotel with my dad and called my mom and thanked her, followed by another round of tears. After talking with my mom, I had another conversation with my dad about life. He talked to me about chapters of life and how I have closed one chapter and am moving on to another. I wish we could have talked for hours just about life. Today, I got to spend the day with my dad and we drove into Glendora, my girlfriend's hometown, and had lunch together. It was really really hard to say goodbye to him as he had to leave to go to the airport for his flight back home. Although I am incredibly excited about the opportunity to go travel the world, it was bittersweet to say my final goodbye to my family. I will always be grateful to all of them for aiding me to where I am today. No words can portray how I feel, I just wanted to try and type an attempt. I love you Dad, Mom & Cody.