The Last Chapter. (October 2023 Chair's Column)

The score was 13-8, them.  I looked down at my shoes, trying to help will my daughter Sarah Kate's team to a comeback. This was the third set, and the winner only needed to get to 15 points to win.

With my eyes wide open, I started to see memories flash by me – traveling to Beaufort for travel team practice; matches in Rock Hill, Blackshear, Vidalia…; throwing a volleyball at her as hard as I could in our backyard so she could practice her diving; walking with SK and her Mom on Senior Night a few weeks prior. That's the first time I had to hold back the tears.

We scored a point to close the deficit and it was SK's turn to serve.  I had to bend my head around another fan to see her throw the ball up for her jump serve.  She has this cute little kick of her right leg when she does it, and it helps her focus.  She threw up the ball, kicked her right leg, and the serve was true. We won the point. That was the second time I had to hold back tears.

It wasn't meant to be.  We lost the match, and with it, suddenly, the season was over.  No more volleyball for SK. No more high school sports for our family. We waited for the team to pack up and began our walk to the cars. We said goodbye to another family, talked about having a celebration with the team soon to keep this from being their last memory of volleyball. Everyone agreed. We got into my car and I calmly reached over for a tissue and started to cry. Hard. Thinking about this chapter of our lives closing, about my sweet and feisty little girl not having this wonderful thing to do anymore.  I was so sad for her, and for our family.

When we drove home, I ventured off of the faster route on Interstate 16 and decided to take a back road.  It was slower, and while it was close to all the development happening nearby, it was reminiscent of days past.  A fitting way to transition from our past and family memories to a promising future, and letting the sadness remind us that it was wonderful while we had it.

Life is full of so many transitions. I’ve spent a great part of my life trying to avoid them, but I’ve started to accept them as I’ve grown older. Things change, sometimes for better, sometimes worse – but they always change.  We’ve seen a lot of change over the past couple of years.  Our State has grown so much, with so many opportunities for our citizens. You all have been on the front lines.  In a few weeks, I’ll be part of the transition, too –a change for GEDA, at least.

Last chapters can be sad, but only if you’ve enjoyed the book you’ve been reading.

See you all in November.