Standing in the Opening

One of my first jobs out of college was becoming a sports journalist and photographer for a local newspaper. My editor and I reworked the entire sports section making it its own landing page in the paper. I wrote most of the stories published to this section and took all of the photos. It was a rewarding job in many ways.<br/><br/>During this time, personally, I was also struggling deeply. All of my compounded emotions from childhood and teens that I didn&#8217;t know how to process began stacking up on my body in the form of pounds. I&#8217;d been a star athlete in my high school years and now after college I was twice the size of myself.<br/><br/>One way I was able to metaphorically play with the puns of my own life and circumstances was by writing an editorial. I aptly called it &#8216;On the Sidelines&#8217;. In my mind this stood for two things. I was literally standing on the sidelines of every soccer, volleyball, football, cross country, basketball, wrestling, swimming, softball and baseball game in the area. And the second, I honestly felt like I was standing on the sidelines of my very own life.<br/><br/>After many changes, and years of determination and discipline I&#8217;ve been fortunate to also write, &#8216;<a href="https://lalaslifegarden.com/2018/10/07/from-on-the-sidelines-to-in-the-game/">From on the Sidelines to in the Game</a>&#8217;, since that time as so much has shifted in my life since those years (there are stories upon stories for another day). Reminding me that I eventually did take that step into the arena.<br/><br/>Funnily enough, my editor from those days, reached out to me just last week! She needed help with a project and I was glad to respond to her in kind. But this simple gesture reminded me of my life in those days and despite the struggle, I instantly became grateful. Her note was like a sweeping gesture of gratitude moving through me. I remembered what we created together, I remembered how proud I felt standing side by side with her and showing our creation to the world, and