(This post is dedicated to Derek Tyson for enduring this experience with me. I can't tell you how many times we looked at each other with the "Did he really just say that" look.)
7 "Important" Issues Discussed at Bus Driving School
1. "How to know which animals are about to run in front of your school bus." Animals discussed included deer, horses, hogs, vultures, buzzards, and poodles. Indicators include eye contact and lowering of the head.
2. "Amphetamines were developed by the U.S. Army." My research (the highly reliable Wikipedia) indicates amphetamines were developed in Germany, although the US used them during World War II. The real concern: why in the world were we discussing this at Bus Driving School?
3. "If you have Night Blindness, don't drive at night." Did you really need to clarify that?
4. If you have a blowout, hold on to the steering wheel. As opposed to...???
5. "In Van Zandt county, if you don't shoot a parent who is sexually abusing their child, you've committed a sin. You will be "No Billed" in a court of law." Good to know!
6. "Bleeding to death is a big deal." Asphinctersayswhat?
And finally...
7. "If you're not willing to stick your ungloved fist in my kid's wound, I don't want you driving my kids." Are you freaking kidding me? At this point, I shut down because I knew this guy had serious issues. How do you know my "ungloved" fist isn't a danger to your child? Why is your child's life more important than my child's life, who may now live without a mother because I didn't use precautions? You, my dear sir, are an idiot!
As you can see, I learned a lot about bus driving.
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Oh, the Irony
I find it humorous that I titled this blog "Through the Eyes of the Coach's Wife", especially given my role in all this.
You see, when our move to Grand Saline came about in April, we really thought I wouldn't coach. Moving gave me an opportunity to focus more on my own kids, to take up the slack at home with Michael's new time-demanding job as an athletic director, as well as to focus on my classroom. I pictured myself at every sporting event, kids in tow, cheering on the Indians and Lady Indians. I pictured bringing meals to the football coaches weekly. I pictured taking Addison to gymnastics in the next town over and Austin to baseball in the next town over from there.
But God has a funny way of directing our paths even while we protest.
I've tried to get out of the coaching profession three times, and three times I've failed. More often than not, I just really, really missed it. The bonds created through the coach/athlete relationship are indescribable. You become a second mother to your athletes whether they like it or not. You laugh together, cry together, get mad together, and hopefully find the drive and passion together that propels you to the top of your game.
So, how did I get here? After months of trying to find a volleyball coach, Michael asked me to do it. He flattered me with "I haven't met anyone more qualified than you" and "You're the best coach I know." I would like to think he meant these comments, but even if he didn't, it worked. I told him I needed a few days to think it over and then finally agreed. As soon as I said the words, panic raced over me.
While I have plenty of experience as an assistant volleyball coach, I've never been a head coach. I've been a head coach in track and golf, but those are completely different compared to team sports. I've never had assistant coaches under me, which actually stressed me out more than anything. I knew I would have to make decisions not everyone would like. But my biggest concern, in all honesty, was Michael. I didn't want to ever do anything to make his job any more stressful. Volleyball is a high-profile sport compared to golf. I'm passionate and energetic when I'm coaching. I have high expectations for my athletes, and I expect them to meet these expectations, on and off the court. I wasn't sure how that would be received in the community, but I knew I had to be me.
So, while we planned for me not to coach with this move, here I am in the biggest coaching position of my career. And I have to say, this has been the best experience of my life.
My girls are amazing! I don't know what I've done to deserve them, but I can't say enough about the amazing group of athletes I have. And my assistant coaches are right there with them.
(Photo Credit: Jill Graves)
I've realized through this that as long as I am in the field of teaching, I am destined to coach. God made me for this role in life, and I should embrace it and live up to everything He's made me to be. My reasons for leaving coaching have always been honorable: Austin and Addison. But, my kids are fine. They are gym rats, and they are the luckiest kids in the world. Who else gets to grow up in such a way? After only one week of school, they already had several friends to hang with and several mommas looking out for them. Lucky, lucky kids.
But luck has nothing to do with it...we are blessed!
But God has a funny way of directing our paths even while we protest.
I've tried to get out of the coaching profession three times, and three times I've failed. More often than not, I just really, really missed it. The bonds created through the coach/athlete relationship are indescribable. You become a second mother to your athletes whether they like it or not. You laugh together, cry together, get mad together, and hopefully find the drive and passion together that propels you to the top of your game.
So, how did I get here? After months of trying to find a volleyball coach, Michael asked me to do it. He flattered me with "I haven't met anyone more qualified than you" and "You're the best coach I know." I would like to think he meant these comments, but even if he didn't, it worked. I told him I needed a few days to think it over and then finally agreed. As soon as I said the words, panic raced over me.
While I have plenty of experience as an assistant volleyball coach, I've never been a head coach. I've been a head coach in track and golf, but those are completely different compared to team sports. I've never had assistant coaches under me, which actually stressed me out more than anything. I knew I would have to make decisions not everyone would like. But my biggest concern, in all honesty, was Michael. I didn't want to ever do anything to make his job any more stressful. Volleyball is a high-profile sport compared to golf. I'm passionate and energetic when I'm coaching. I have high expectations for my athletes, and I expect them to meet these expectations, on and off the court. I wasn't sure how that would be received in the community, but I knew I had to be me.
So, while we planned for me not to coach with this move, here I am in the biggest coaching position of my career. And I have to say, this has been the best experience of my life.
My girls are amazing! I don't know what I've done to deserve them, but I can't say enough about the amazing group of athletes I have. And my assistant coaches are right there with them.
(Photo Credit: Jill Graves)
I've realized through this that as long as I am in the field of teaching, I am destined to coach. God made me for this role in life, and I should embrace it and live up to everything He's made me to be. My reasons for leaving coaching have always been honorable: Austin and Addison. But, my kids are fine. They are gym rats, and they are the luckiest kids in the world. Who else gets to grow up in such a way? After only one week of school, they already had several friends to hang with and several mommas looking out for them. Lucky, lucky kids.
But luck has nothing to do with it...we are blessed!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)