Growing up we experience our "first" moments -- first kiss, first car, first love, etc.
Sadly enough, as we grow up, we also often have to experience some "last" moments.
This weekend I witnessed a last for some U of M athletes -- and experienced one myself.
As I watched both the men's and women's final regular season home basketball games on Sunday, something hit me: this is not only the last time these players will grace their home court, with fans applauding and cheering them on to victory, but it may very well be the last time I get to sit courtside and watch athletes put their heart into the game, capturing it on film.
Possibly the last time I get to watch John Calipari jump up and down, rant, rave, scream and yell (at referees who have clearly cheated us out of victories) and then put on a big smile when he addresses the media and vows to go out and do it better the next time.
My hat's off to Calipari, the men's and women's teams, and above all, the seniors.
Each year happens like this:
Moments before tipoff, the players gather beside their family members as coaches prepare the final momentos. One by one, names are called, and players and family members make their way to center court, receiving roses, tokens of affection and a big hug and congratulations from the coaches.
Standing there in front of a crowded house, with fans screaming and cheering you on, it's hard to decide what to do.
You can smile and soak it in by briefly reliving the past few years -- (coaching changes, tough losses, big wins, ailments that kept you out of the game and moments when you didn't quite think you would ever get in).
Or let yourself go, and let that tingly feeling inside take over, and let those few tears of joy, sorrow and pain (packed into one emotion) roll down your face.
In a short time, the game is played, comments and interviews are given, and you pack up your bags and head home.
You can handle it two ways.
Get dressed and leave, or stick around for a few minutes, sign autographs, shake a few hands and enjoy the moment for all it is worth.
Either way, those memories will be there. There are games (and life events) that will stick out in one's mind for a while.
Then there are those that will disappear not long after the moment itself.
But what is most important in this process is to know through it all, win or lose, you gave your best effort, fought your best fight and enjoyed it as much as you could.
