So... A few things.
I’d like to say “that wasn’t me.” If atheletes have proven anything, we aren’t who we say we are, we are who our actions make us. At that point in time, I knew I shouldn’t be arguing the side I did. It just felt so good to be angry at something - anything - else. I took the opportunity to direct my pain outward, and that wasn’t proper or fair.
While i was processing those early stages, the SoSH community was doing amazing things to support me and my family. I’m forever in debt to the folks here who never met me outside of the shared connection we have on this board. It was an awe-instilling experience, and the love and strength provided by strangers was in some ways more powerful than what was sent by friends and family. There’s no obligation to help somebody you don’t know, yet people did.
I wavered on whether or not to mention the circumstance as I didn’t want it to diminish my message of heartfelt regret. However, it’s an important part of my story and who I am, and will be with me forever. If anything, it’s reinforced to me the value, importance, and power in how we treat others. You never know what a person is dealing with, positive or negative.
We’re several months on and there is light and laughter dissipating the cloud bit by bit. There’s no knowing what our new normal will be, but we have found the strength to live our lives.
I truly appreciate the words you folks have passed along here and privately. I want to stress that my intended message was one of regret and remorse. I look forward to joining you guys again. This game is one of the biggest pleasures I take in life. Weekends were a beacon to distraction 90 minutes at a time and a big part of our healing path.
On to the World Cup!