The great singer Jim Reeves a few decades ago expressed the sentiments I feel as I write this column on Sunday night. In his beautiful and touching song he said, “With pen in hand I sit to write” and then added, “How can I write on paper what I feel in my heart?”
I choose to give attention this week in both this sports column and then again later in my weekend column about a happening that has touched this whole community in a way words cannot explain.
The heartbreaking death on Sunday morning of Jessica Raines, a 13 year-old eighth grade student at Calhoun Middle School, deserves attention because of both her outstanding life as a wonderful young lady and her activities in the athletic arena. “You had better keep number 24 healthy. She is going to carry a big load in your accomplishments this year.”
That statement was made without knowing who number 24 was. I later realized I knew her parents and her extended family very well. It was a matter of pleasure to watch the young lady battle the big girls of opposing teams along the journey to the finals of the region middle school tournament. Her enthusiasm and determination for the game and competition contributed greatly to the success of the team.
After basketball and a summer on a softball travel team came this fall and a new softball season for her school team. Again, her dedication and enthusiasm was a factor in making her a most desirable player to have on any team. It was just four days ago in the finals of the Ringgold Middle School tournament that Jessica contributed the timely hit to drive in the winning runs for her team to capture the championship. I did not see the action but the report is she displayed the height of happiness and excitement – and rightfully so. Those moments are hard to come by in sports and in life.
Readers may see an outstanding picture of Jessica and Coach Diane Smith on several Facebook pages.
There you will see two happy and ambitious ladies. It is looking at that picture and several others that lead me to ask, “How can I write on paper what I feel in my heart?”
The outpouring of expressions of love and admiration for Jessica has been fantastic. The expression of love and sympathy for her family
is to be greatly admired.
When Calhoun, Gordon Central and Sonoraville play football on a given Friday night, it is infrequent that all of them or either at home or on the road.
That is exactly what happens on the first Friday night to open the 2012 season. Calhoun hosts Ridgeland while Gordon Central entertains Coosa and Sonoraville will be visited by Pickens County.
The beginning of football season at the high school or college level is the cause for the greatest excitement and most interest than any other sport.
With due respect and before anyone levels charges at me, I simply ask that you read the papers from all over; watch the TV and listen to the radio. It has become a tiresome and tedious matter to offer answers to the ignorant charge that I think football is more important than any other sport.
The truth is there is an admiration here for everyone who dedicates themselves to a degree of conditioning and training to participate in any athletic endeavor. The admiration and enjoyment of the Olympic participants has already been expressed in this column. Football was not one of the sports.
Here is wishing all our kids success and safety. The bands, cheerleaders and majorettes will contribute in a wonderful way to make Friday nights the greatest event in small towns all over America. This does not lean towards saying the most important – just the greatest and most exciting. Each individual can decide for himself or herself which night it is for them.