Updated July 2023:
I am a 60 year old single mom of three adult kids, two of my own and one in-law, and I regularly re-assign the always coveted title of “Favorite”. My professional career consists of 37 years working in higher education, and being a volleyball coach for almost the same number of years. I come from a large extended family – my parents are still with us, I am the oldest of five sibilings, I have numerous neices, nephews, “in-laws” and greats. And when we are together we are loud, we eat well and we laugh, a lot.
My kids are the best part of me. I have worked for the same employer for 37 years, which is almost completely unheard of these days. Currently, I work in IT, leading two teams with a total of eight team members, most of whom are exceedingly more technical than me, they make me look good. Anyone who knows me, knows about my passion for volleyball. Starting 30+ years ago, I started coaching volleyball to 11-15 year old girls and boys. In the Spring of 2015, I thought I would mix it up a bit and try my hand at coaching high school boys. When my son went off to college and was going to be playing collegiate volleyball in August 2018, I opted to trade places with one of my assistant coaches in the high school boys program. A program I had built from the ground up – it was a scary time for both of us. About that same time, I accepted an offer to be the girls freshman volleyball coach – the offer was from my daughter! Fast forward a few years and it was time to “retire” from the school I had served for over 20 years – that retirement lasted only a few months before I was offered the opportunity to be the freshman boys coach at another school in the area and before I was done with that first season, I was offered the opportunity to coach in the girls program at that same school. I love all of the time I get to spend sharing my passion for volleyball with high school students. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I often reger to my time with high school athletes as the way I “fill up my cup”. I also have a secret passion for writing. It relaxes me and I need all the help I can get at relaxing!
My daughter is in her mid-30s and she is my best friend. As of two year ago, she works in high education as an academic advisor – and in less than 2 weeks, she and I will be co-workers. I’m looking forward to the time we both happen to be in the same meeting. She has also spent a number of years coaching volleyball. In have enjoyed our time coaching together, sometimes she has been the boss and sometimes I have been the boss and both arrangements work. Currently she coaches at an elite girls volleyball club, she is the head coach and her brother is the assistant coach. She got married during COVID to her long-time boyfriend. The ceremony consisted of 23 total people, and 7 months later they had a wonderful reception with extended family and friends. She looked amazing in her silver wedding dress and how many people can say they got to wear their wedding dress twice? Her husband has been a wonderful addition to our little family. He is a former teacher, now athletic director. He fits in perfectly with our love of athletes and education. My daughter’s decision to return home to Indianapolis after graduating from college, was the single most contributing factor to my being able to spend more time pursuing my volleyball coaching passion. I affectionately call my daughter “Re” and for purposes of my blog I will call her husband “Cowboy” – an inside joke for the first several months they were dating.
My son is in his mid-20s and he is my hero. Despite so many factors going against him, he continues to bounce back from all of the things life has thrown at him. He has learning and physical disabilites, both of which create more obstacles for him than most people. And while his disabilities sometimes stop from reaching his goals, they never stop him from trying. His collegiate volleyball career was cut short due to a genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos. He had been a 4-year varsity starter on the high school volleyball team. When he found volleyball, he found his passion. In his freshman year of college he played on the inaugural team for a small NAIA school in Michigan. And it was one hell of a season. They made it all the way to the NAIA National Championships – losing in the championship match. The journey with this team was shorter than he originally envisioned, but it was better than he could ever have imagined. He found teammates who loved the game as much as he did, who worked as hard as he did, and who have become like brothers to him. A couple of attempts at continuing higher education during and after COVID, both on-line and hybrid, have proven unsuccessful for him, so he is still looking to find his way. At the moment, he coaches club volleyball with his sister, gives private lessons and is available for a variety of odd jobs for family and friends. My daughter made me a parent, my son taught me how to parent. He fights for inclusion, the underrepresented, and those who are different. He has a heart of gold and makes me a better person by allowing me to see the world through his eyes. His family nickname is Boo.
This blog is an attempt to combine my passions!