In new territory

Yesterday I finished writing the state letters. Every year at state I give each runner a letter. I usually tell them what I’ve been most impressed with or how they’ve grown. Sometimes I share a favorite memory I had of them from the season.  I love the opportunity I have to call out the greatness in them, to draw their attention to how God has gifted them or to let them know I’ve noticed their character.  I love getting to encourage them.  I actually read each kid’s letter at our team meeting the night before the state race.  This is often a time where I shed a tear or two, especially about my seniors who I will be losing.  The veteran runners like to mess with me; as the team meeting approaches they’ll say ‘you gonna cry, Coach? Yeah you’re gonna cry.’ Sometimes I do, but usually I’m a master at keeping the tears at bay. I have no seniors this year so I’m expecting a dry run. But I guess we’ll see. I’ll let you know in my post season blog.

Every cross country season feels like the best season.  Every team feels like my favorite team. Every year it seems like that year, everyone got closer; that year the team was really special.  So I was wondering if this was just the way it felt because I was simply comparing something in the present which was new and raw to something in the past which would make it irrelevant.  That is what I suspected anyway.  After I was done writing my letters I got to thinking about that theory that every year felt special only because it was the present.  So I went back and read all the letters from previous teams, fully expecting my theory to be proven right. 

Yeah. That’s a negative, people. I was shocked to find out my little theory had no evidence to support it.  First thing I noticed was how much longer this year’s batch of letters were.  This year I had so much more to say about each kid. Next thing I noticed was how much more I actually saw in this group.  These kids have the most amazing personalities; they have truly unique giftedness in their character.  And then the details.  I had so many more poignant memories, so many more impressive moments this season.  All the previous years’ letters read about the same, some more than others.  My team 2 years ago was a really special group.  But even those letters didn’t compare to what I will say this year. 

So I find myself in new territory. Maybe all those previous years God was growing me and developing me to be ready, to be worthy to get this special group of kids.  I don’t really know how I’m going to handle this season ending.  But I am already thanking God that I won’t have to lose anybody and I get to have this particular group for 2 years.  He always gives the most amazing gifts. He gave me these 12 runners. And He gave them to me for 2 years.  I seriously have to be the most blessed coach on the planet.