Things Pulled from a Magic Bag
We were “stick chicks;” girls with skilled tricks, strong drives, quick passes, and a positive spirit.
Red, white, and black fabric kilts were too short on most, but “don’t let the skirt fool you!”
At halftime we would snack to re-energize as we listened to coach strategize; no snack was better than Mom’s stove popped popcorn. Its buttery goodness being washed down with ice cold water and Gatorade.
After the win, the excitement and reminiscing could not last. I’d grab a round, delectable, and chewy chocolate chip cookie for the road and head off to dance at the United Academy of the Performing Arts to tap my toes, point my feet, arch my back, and kick my legs.
The memories of summers spent splashing in the warm, yet refreshing chlorinated water of the backyard pool flood my mind.
Swimming, jumping, diving, and sliding for hours.
The water evaporating from our shoulders and turning us a deeper shade of tan.
My memories of Disney World, however are not as vivid.
Age and the passing of time have caused them to fade, although somehow I know that words such as fun can not cover the experience in Walt’s world.
Disney World was breathtaking, exhilarating, amazing.
Similar feelings rush through me as we pass over the Maine state line, singing along to John Mayer’s sensual voice. We are greeted by the sign that declares,
Depending on the season, Maine may sound like the silence of falling snow, the crashing of the cool Atlantic waves, the call of an osprey, or rain pelting the needles of the pine trees. No matter what time of year, I know I can count on hearing the voices and contagious laughter of the ones I love.
The majority of my loves may speak with a New England accent, but the rest are people who became acquaintances, who became friends, who became confidants in the setting of a Jesuit college in the second largest city in New York State.
We became dedicated Golden Griffins. We sold ourselves to Peter Canisius for endless nights in the library with an iced cap nearby.
No doubt that our cell phones carried the numbers for Buffalo Pizza, Dagwoods, Jim Steakout and several local cab companies.
Cell phones; something professors may define as a distraction during lecture, but something that many worried and overly caring mothers may consider a Godsend.
Don’t worry Mom, I made it through with awesome grades, new perspectives, life changing experiences, and friends that I will never forget.
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