Volleyball to the side of the head

Harper played volleyball yesterday. She's the smallest on the team. She has, in my non biased mom opinion, the most drive on the team. She wills her team to win. She challenges herself to do better. She wants to serve the ball over the net. And when she does, she does a funny little dance that makes my heart sing.

About two weeks ago, she did just that and the crowd errupted in cheers. See, us moms and dads and grandparents know who has gotten the ball over by now and, when someone who hasn't done so in the past finally makes it....well, we let them hear it. However, since that time, most of her serves haven't made it over. They've made it to the side of the court. They've made it to the people in the crowd. They've almost taken out the ref. And they have bounced back harmlessly from the net.

Friday, something short of a miracle happened. Not only did she serve it over the net, but it was an ace AND it was the winning point of the game. Oh yeah, it was a good night for her.

Today, the JV played 2 separate games, 3 games each. The coaches do a good job of mixing up stronger players with those who are still learning. Harper is 49 pounds, with little matchstick arms and long colt legs. It was Christmas in July again because Harper not only served over the net....she did it twice in a row and scored points.

During one game she got whacked in the side of the head with the ball. Her coaches wanted to know if she wanted them to take her out but she said no. She wanted to finish. So, blinking back tears, she carried on while I sat, stranded, on the side of the court. After the game, Coach Franck gave her a hug and she collapsed in tears. A good friend went and checked on her and her coach brought her back from the bathroom where she had fled out of embarrassment. Sitting next to one of her coaches, she looked so tiny and vulnerable. She made me want to hobble across the court and scoop her up, even though she is ten years old. And yet she saw me watching her and waved at me with a smile, ready to go.

Now the coaches that we have for our team are great people, the epitome of what you want in a coach. Harper has learned a lot from them. But in cases like this, where Ms. Tiny But Mighty keeps going, even with a ball to the side of the head, I think she's the teacher. She shows that it doesn't matter WHEN you play but THAT you play. It doesn't matter if you weigh 110 pounds or 49. What matters is that you make the most out of every second of every game, of every day, of every life. And when life boots you in the head, you cry, but you keep going. There are always going to be balls hurled in your direction. It's the ability to serve them right back that counts.