Publisher's Page

Over the years, I have LOVED watching my two children play sports. From the tiniest of ages, we have been encouraging and standing by their sides, rooting for them in T-ball, softball, soccer, basketball, surfing, swimming, dance and finally, track. Needless to say, my husband and I are their biggest fans.

My son, Kobe, is graduating from high school this year and will be off to college in the fall. He's my true athlete, a natural at every sport he has taken on, a state champion, and a soon-to-be college athlete with his track scholarship at a D1 University. I'm super proud of him for his accomplishments, and I won't hold back if you ask! As I was watching him pole vault to another win at a track meet this weekend, it hit me that this season will be his last for local athletics and, subsequently, my last season watching him at every meet. I had to swallow hard as I thought about that; all the hours of seeing him grow into the athlete he is in the sports that he loves most. Sometimes it is easy to forget how special the little moments can be... hauling Kobe to his events all over the state and beyond will soon be coming to an end, and I will deeply miss those little moments. It will be, at first, a large void in my life and lifestyle, to say the least.

I wonder how I am going to move into this next chapter of life and with what I will fill the time. Kobe is turning a page into manhood - off on his own. It has me reminiscing about those chubby toddler cheeks, his running around bases with the longest legs for this age that he could barely coordinate, his ability to outmaneuver me, and the big hugs I would get after he came off the basketball court. His passion over the years has turned to pole vault, and just a month ago he added sprinting to his repertoire, winning medals in both the 4 x 1 with his team and the 100-meter dash. It's great to see him still discovering new strengths even at this age.

My emotions are running high this season. I will watch every race, jump and move with angst and pride, praying for his safety and for those around him as he pushes to do his very best. To all the moms who are soon-to-be empty nesters, let’s savor every single minute, cheer like never before, not miss a beat, and truly cherish these lasts. And for every mom, don't forget how special every little moment is.