“Pick me, pick me. Don’t pick me last,” I chanted under my breath. I remember standing off to the side as the team captains chose their teams.
The captain selected until there was just two of us. I pushed my glasses up on my nose that slipped because of nervous sweat. The other girl went to join her team. The other captain did not even call my name.
My chest tightened, looking down at the ground and joined my team. My reluctant team members created a circle. I went to join but one of the girls took another’s hand closing me out.
I really didn’t belong on any team. Standing on the outskirts, my head hung low.
It was the last inning, and my turn at bat. Two outs and my team’s score lagged behind by two points. No one seemed to care about my turn, and the despair at losing already filled the air. Two of my teammates stood on the bases looking ready to come back in.
My angry thoughts crowded into my head. “Why don’t I belong anywhere?”
The pitcher wound up and threw. I saw the ball coming at me with swiftness. I knew the P.E. teacher was about to call a third strike. I swung and felt my bat ping. The ball soared into the outfield over the outfielders’ heads.
My teammates yelled run. I took off in a blur, running passed first, second. My other teammates sped into home base. I doubled down running faster.
“Run, run Mary.” My team members cheered, jumping up and down. The ball soared into the infield. I bolted down the home-base line. I then slid down into the base. The ball landing in the catchers hand. I touched the base almost simultaneously. The catcher dropped the ball as we connected.
My P.E. teacher yelled, “Safe.”
The team erupted into cheers, surrounding me including me in their circle of joy.
My chest lightened as the sun shined down on my face. My P.E. teacher handed me the ball. “Keep this. Your home run ball.”
Pick This Team
I remember that day now as I think of the word, “team.” We all want to feel belonging and love.
Team encompasses acceptance and love. Click To Tweet
When it comes to belonging, I know I will never be the last chosen anymore. Summing up the meaning of our weekly prompt, team, I am a proud member of the Five Minute Friday team.
Please consider joining the FMF team, a community of writers who gather at Kate Motaung’s blog weekly to write for five minutes on the word of the week. We are a community, a team of loving and encouraging writers.
Also joining these other writing and blogging teams listed on my Linkup Parties page. Be sure to check out these great communities too.
Also while you are here, jump over and participate in my two great giveaways.
The angst of adolescence! We have all felt it.
Carol Baldwin recently posted…#MGGetsReal: Behind the Scenes with Joyce Hostetter
Hi Mary,
I can relate. I was too short for volleyball and not athletic.
Thanks for bringing your post to Blogger’s Pit Stop last week.
Janice, Pit Stop Crew
Janice Wald recently posted…5 Creative Ways of Promoting Your New Blog Now
Thanks for your vulnerability and honesty. We’ve all been in a situation like this — whether it was on a baseball field, school cafeteria, or out to dinner with a group of friends. I’m glad you’re a part of the FMF team! Go get em’ slugger! 😉
Christy, thanks for the encouragement and kind words. I really am blessed by you.
You took me on a roller coaster of emotions with your story. I hate the feeling and fear of being picked last. I am not an athlete, so I know the feeling. But to hear that you got a home run is awesome. What a wonderful memory.
What I most like about your story is that you played the game and did your best despite what other people did. You could have used being picked last and being excluded in the huddle to rationalize giving up, but you didn’t. That is inspirational.
This is yet another message I am getting as a tug on my heart to not give up.
Thank you.
Cheryl Simpson recently posted…Three team members you need on your team
Cheryl, wow. I love your points. I really didn’t think of it that way at the time or even now. I just wanted to do my best. Thank you so much for encouraging words.
Mary,
oh I ached for you, and then I rejoiced with you! Thank you for such a moving post this week. And further, I’m so delighted that the FMF community is your team. There is such love and support between all the writers.
I don’t remember being last chosen, but I do remember choosing the right outfield intentionally in softball. I was terrified of getting hit. I closed my eyes every time I swung the bat!
Love,
Tammy
(linked at #65 this week)
Joining you this Sunday as your FMF neighbor. I think we can all relate to that memory and I thank you for sharing. Blessings to you as you start a new week!
Natasha recently posted…Team: Five Minute Friday on Sunday Afternoon
You too Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Hill recently posted…My Prayer: Don’t Pick Me Last
Sorry you felt that pain too. But I glad now that we have a loving and supportive community.
Mary Hill recently posted…My Prayer: Don’t Pick Me Last
I so related to this post, Mary! I was often picked last in school too. I’m so glad that I’m not picked last now as part of FMF etc. I’m over in the 8 spot this week.