The Backyard
We all have a happy place; whether we tell people where it is or not, we all have one. Our happy place is special to us for a variety of reasons. It may be symbolic, it may bring peace and tranquility, or it may simply just be a release from the outside world. We talk about self-care but, we often shy away from it. With our happy place, no matter what, we can always go to it and it will always be there for us when times are tough or when others aren't there.
When I was in grade 9 (September 2007), I was cut from my city's rep soccer team. The next day, I told my parents I'd be quitting hockey next season and that I'd be focusing on soccer. The same day that I told my parents of my decision, and every day/night after that, I was in my backyard with 2 soccer balls and 6 old orange cones that my dad had in the garage. I used our banged up garage roof for take-downs (foot, knee, chest, foot, knee, chest, foot, knee, chest .........). I used the small shed that my dad built to kick balls against so I could receive passes; there was a small piece of wood at the base of the shed that allowed me to emulate/simulate passing & receiving. I used our fence to shoot balls at which undoubtedly ticked my dad off. I used the 6 cones that my dad had in the garage and used them for dribbling drills. I would end every session by placing the 6 orange cones perfectly in-line on a strip of grass for plyometrics - I remember my dad coming outside on one occasion and saying, "Hey. Look at my grass. You turned it yellow. Do something else". I was obsessed. All I wanted to do was play, train, and study.
Never did I miss a beat during the fall, spring or summer. Even in the winter, my dad would shovel the driveway so I could be on the pavement in the backyard dribbling and kicking the ball against the house. From the day-time/night-time sessions in the backyard during my 5 years high school, to the 6:00am sessions in the backyard as the sun would rise every morning during my 4 years of university, I wouldn't change a thing. I wouldn't change my mom looking through the kitchen or bedroom window and watching me in the backyard. I wouldn't change my mom telling me, "There's other things you can be doing. Don't get so wrapped up in all of this. You don't want to confine yourself". I wouldn't change missing out on things because I had to train in the morning. I wouldn't change the way I went about my craft. I am who I am now, in large part, because of the backyard.
9 years of sacrifice and dedication to the thing I love the most has undoubtedly led to a lifetime of discipline, passion, and never-ending desire to want to help others reach their potential in life and in sport.
I remember the days of being in the gym at 4:15am, in the backyard by 6:00am, class at 10:00am, library at 1:00pm, cross country practice at 2:30pm, soccer practice at 4:30pm, shower at 6:30pm, eating a cold meal out of tupperware at 6:45pm, class at 7:00pm, going home and preparing for the next day and being asleep by 11:00pm.
Then, wake up the next day, in the gym at 4:15am, in the backyard by 6:00am, tutor 8:30-10:30am, class at 11:00am, cross country practice at 1:00pm, soccer practice at 3:00pm, work 5:30-close, go home and get ready for the next day.
When all else failed, when I was frustrated, when I was upset, when school work mounted, when working 2 jobs in one day had me beat, when running a ministry had me scatterbrained, when weekend soccer games or cross country races had me over-preparing, when coaching/volunteering/community initiatives felt overwhelming - the backyard was always there for me ready to run, kick, and train on it.
The backyard holds ultimate significance in my heart. It was my space, my home, my ground, and my place of peace.
When I think of where I'm at today in terms of my journey, I have my family, friends, coaches, and teammates to thank/acknowledge.
The backyard is where it all started. I'll never forget what that 30x20 yards of space did for me in my life. I'll always be the same kid, in the backyard, in stoppage time, creating a moment of brilliance in the final third to win the game.
The backyard. Forever grateful.