Entry 9 -- What Christmas is All About -- December 20, 2006
12/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2006
AL McGUIRE CENTER - It is December 20, and it is hard not to think about Christmas when it is only five days away! Our players are thinking about it, as well as going home, but we have to keep them focused because we have another game to play on Thursday before we can think about going home.
I believe it is important to have balance and I want the players to be excited about the holidays and going home to visit with family and friends, but we have an important task at hand which is to get ready for Manhattan. We need to play a solid game on both ends of the court and continue to prepare for the BIG EAST Conference. BIG EAST play is not too far away. Including Manhattan, we have three non-conference games left. We feel we have put together a very competitive schedule to get us ready for very difficult league play.
But with all of that said, I wanted to talk about the holiday season and Christmas.
What I love most about the holidays is that it gives a great opportunity to reflect on each of our lives. We can get so swept away easily with competition and winning which is very important, but in the midst of everything, we always have to take time to be thankful for what we have.
I am so thankful to have the opportunity to coach this wonderful team and be surrounded by an incredible staff. Marquette has truly become my family away from home. And for that I am thankful, because it makes the distance of 800 miles to my family in Harrisburg seem that much shorter. The many people that I have met and things I've experienced through my association with Marquette has given me enough memories to last a lifetime.
Christmas for me will be one that I spend in Milwaukee. As much as I would love to see my family in Pennsylvania, it is important for me to rest my back. It seems I have been pushing the envelope since the day I had back surgery, so I really need to take this time to rest, and as they say, "put my feet up." However, even though I won't get to get to see them this holiday, I'll see some of them when they come here to enjoy some games this season or I'll make sure to take a few trips and see them in the spring.
There is so much to what the holiday season and the spirit of Christmas really means. I think the most important lesson I have learned, and one that I try to pass to the players is that you should cherish those things that you value most in your life - being thankful for friends and family and for the wonderful opportunities you have been given, and remember to celebrate your life everyday.
I know the more I enjoy life and am thankful for all that I have, the more I'm able to make that a part of everything I do with the program. I always want us to strive to be the very best because then I know we won't have any regrets and we'll be living life to the fullest. If we make the most of every moment than I know we will be fulfilling why we are here on earth.
In closing, I would like to thank everyone who is a part of my life, because you have made it that much richer. I pray that God blesses you and your families during this holiday season.
Merry Christmas and talk to you next week!