Twenty Plus Years

One of the things that I appreciated most about my mother is the fact that whatever activity my sisters and I wanted to try out when we were younger, she found a way for us to participate in it. I have tried multiple instruments, dance classes, art classes, and an array of sports. Some, I stuck with for many years. Others, it was a season or session. 

At 16, my sophomore year of high school, I picked up a lacrosse stick for the first time and instantly fell in love. I was fast and had a quick grasp of the game. I played both JV and Varsity that first year. My junior and senior year, I found myself on varsity with one of the quickest draws in the midwest. I lived and breathed this game and gave up my prom for a tournament out east. Unfortunately, my college did not have women's lacrosse at the time, so I hung up my stick and wouldn't pick it up for another 30 years. 

Well not quite 30. I picked up my stick four years ago and began coaching my daughter's U10 team. I used my stick daily in practice to explain a concept or drill, throw and catch with the girls. But it has been 30 years since I played in my last lacrosse game. Until this summer. 

I saw a post about a women's league for anyone 16 and older last summer. I eyed it all summer. Thinking. Could I keep up with girls half my age? Do I want to make the drive? The summer came and went, and I never followed through. Then I saw the post again in May. The Detroit Women's Summer League was back, all proceeds going to the Detroit Youth Lacrosse summer program. I reached out to the coordinator, curious about the age of the participants. She immediately calmed my fears and because of her and the mission of the league, I signed up. 

Honestly, I had no idea what to expect. When I showed up, I couldn't believe the amount of women who had turned out and apparently the coordinator couldn't either. We had enough women to scrimmage full field (24) with six subs. And thank goodness we had subs. There were high school girls, women who were currently playing in college, and some slightly older who had played division 1 and won national championships. All could play both hands. I was clearly the oldest by 20 plus years. I started to wonder if I had made the right decision. 

When I played in high school, we used wooden sticks and mouthguards. You only played your dominant hand. Things have changed A LOT in 30 years. Gone are the wood sticks replaced by aluminum or titanium shafts and plastic lacrosse heads. And goggles. Something that makes a lot of sense that I never had to use. 

For this league, goggles and mouthguards are optional. I thought I would try the goggles out. Um no. I lasted three minutes before I tossed them on the sidelines. I don't know how my players play with them, and I must admit that after my three minutes of wearing them, I have a lot of admiration for my players. 

I played middie, the only position I have ever played and let me tell you something, I definitely was out of shape. I forgot how much running you have to do. And did I mention how much older I am than everyone? These women are young and fast but also incredibly encouraging! Despite my slowness, I found my stride and had a blast.

With each game, I am improving. My cuts are sharper, I have had a few shots on goals, and get most of the ground balls. I am starting to get compliments on my play from these women whose skills are well beyond where mine ever were. I am so proud of myself. Proud of putting myself out there and playing a game that I love, even though I could be everyone's mother. 

Except the ref. Her name is Ann. We played against each other in high school. We are the same age. But I am still older. I have her by a month.