“Don’t cry.” I repeated this to myself over and over as I, a fourth-grader at the time, nervously walked onto a soccer field for my first practice ever. “Just don’t cry.” The cool fall breeze ruffled my hair as thoughts of regret swirled around in my brain. “Why did I sign up for this?” I glanced around at a sea of unfamiliar faces as my new coach began talking. Sounds of cheering and laughter mixed with the screeches of whistles as I tried to ignore the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Pushing away memories of past incidents involving tears, I took a deep breath and got in line to try shooting at the net.
I did make it through that soccer practice without crying, and many more after that. However, that was not always the case. For as
I did make it through that soccer practice without crying, and many more after that. However, that was not always the case. For as