The question I always seem to get from people and I'm starting to dread repeating myself. So I just reply "Same-old. Same-old." Then try to change the topic.
The truth: yes, I need to find a job. That's what society tells me. I need to make more money then I do now to pay for everything I have or want. Maybe I have been too picky on jobs, that I haven't applied for enough. That's probably true.
The real truth: I love what I do. I wish I can do it more often. I wish I could get paid more for it, but then again I would also do it for free in a heartbeat. Coaching is my passion.
I had a conversation the other night with a parent of two kids I used to coach and a third that is still there. He was so thankful and appreciative of what I do and the impact I have had on his kids. Then he asked if I have seen the post that a soon to be senior posted on facebook. I said I haven't because I'm not friends with any of them on facebook. So they pulled it up for me:
"My XC career started exactly three years ago. I remember not being able to last more than five minutes on my first warm-up... and how after barely crossing the finish line during my first 3K, Coach Devine said to me, "You ready for a 5K?" I honestly considered quitting, but I'm glad I didn't. Though I wasn't able to recover all of them, these numbers represent all the times I've battled and defeated my weakness and fear. Cross country doesn't just build fitness - it builds character. It has made me who I am now. I have one more season to go, and I'm determined to do my best (as always). To my teammates, thanks for tolerating and supporting this slacker! To people who still refuse to recognize XC as a sport, we all know you're just jealous of our stylish short shorts, of the fact that we're the biggest and closest family any team can ever hope to be, and of our high probability of surviving the zombie apocalypse." - Senior at La Salle Class of '14
(Then he had a picture of all his racing numbers and a pair of sunglasses he got after one of his races.)
This just brought a smile to my face. As a coach it is hard to read or know what all your athletes are thinking, but you hope that they are having fun and gaining new and valuable experiences that they can use in the rest of their lives. This kid gets it, and he along with all the others on the team is the reason I coach and I love what I do.
