Dreaming of a White Christmas

I can't believe that Christmas is already upon us! The months have flown by since school started. Maybe it's just one of those things that start to happen when you get old. I remember when I was younger, it seemed like a week would last FOREVER! I'm excited for Christmas this year. . .though that's not saying much because I'm excited for Christmas every year. This year I'm headed to Puerto Rico to spend the holidays with my brother and his family. Yes I know, but I'm sure you wouldn't fit in my bag! I can't wait to come home with a tan after lying on the beach for two weeks! It should be fun, though I'm wondering what it will be like to have Christmas in a tropical paradise. I don't think I've ever had a Christmas without the snow/cold weather, well that I can remember at least. I keep worrying that it won't feel like Christmas, but I started thinking the other day that it's not really the snow that I love about Christmas. I love the way people treat each other during the Christmas season, and I don't think that you have to have snow to experience that. You don't even have to have presents (which is good because my one and only present this year is going to Puerto Rico!) All you really need is to remember the true meaning of Christmas, and that you can see everywhere.

An athletic trainer's thoughts on her football team

It was 4 months ago I came back to Hillcrest High School after an amazing summer vacation. I really didn't want to go back, I knew what was waiting for me. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. Being an athletic trainer is almost like a dream job. . .well if it paid a little more at least. No the reason I didn't want to go back was not because I didn't like my job, it was because I didn't think I could handle another football season at Hillcrest.
Football season was always the same: I would show up for two-a-days and after a day or two the players would start coming to the athletic training room. One or two at first, and by the end of the third week it would be six or seven. Some would have serious injuries, but most I couldn't find a problem. I would try to help them the best way I knew, but a week later they would be back in the athletic training room complaining again. It was so frustrating! How do you help someone that isn't really injured? How do you heal someone that doesn't want to get better?
So here comes August 2008, my fourth football season at Hillcrest. We have a new coach, but I'm used to that. Three different football coaches in four years, yes, that is no big deal to me. It would seem abnormal to have the same coach at this point. . .but something is different. At first I can't put my finger on it, but after just a couple of days I see it. The players are different. Not different players, most of them are the same guys that were there the year before, but they are different. . .different on the inside. They are working harder, they are listening better, they are helping each other, they are more motivated, and they are not coming to the athletic training room. After two days of football practice I knew this season was going to be different, I just didn't realize how different it would really be!
To my football team I would like to say thank you. Thank you for making me like football season again. Thank you for being the sweet, wonderful guys you are. Thank you for letting me be a part of your team. But most importantly, thank you for showing me that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and those around you. You have truly inspired me. Go Hillcrest Knights, 2008 State Football Champions!!!! Wahoo!