Well guys:
I don't know about you, but I hate saying goodbye.
Recently I had to say it to someone who I consider like a daughter to me.
Over the dozen years I coached softball, I met with and helped teach many kids, and I can honestly say I was extremely fond of at least 95 percent of that group. I always considered it my honor to have been a tiny piece of their lives over the years.
There were two kids, however, that I could honestly call my family. The first I said goodbye to as she went off to attend the College of St. Rose last year. This year it's saying goodbye to the second, who is off to the University of Kentucky on a softball scholarship.
I only got the privilege to coach Samantha, or as Grasshopper as I've called her for years now, for one summer a few years back. But it did not take long to realize how special a person she was back then. She's the kind of kid I think most parents would be thrilled to call their daughter.
Since then my friendship with her and her parents has grown over the years and I had the greatest of times watching and reading as she became one of the -- if not THE -- premier softball player in the area.
Although I'm not a parent like many of you out there, I think I have a pretty good idea what you guys feel must like when you send your kids away to school.
By the time Samantha might see this, she'll be settling into her new digs at Kentucky, and I just wanted to use this time to wish her the best of luck and tell her how proud I am of her.
Grasshopper, URon will miss you greatly!
Until next time, take care and God bless.