I am enjoying getting to know my fellow Active Rain friends regarding, Who They Are. These deeper conversations allow us to see beyond the market reports, professional expertise, and local involvement. All of these, of course, are important topics so it is fun when we have the opportunity to peel back the onion to understand our AR friends in a different spotlight.
My life was greatly impacted by my high school coach, Leta Andrews. You talk about a fireball of a woman! Coach Andrews is not only a local and national legend, she helped to shape my life in numerous ways.
WORK ETHIC - When I moved back to Granbury nine years ago, I heard the door to my brokerage open and then jumped to attention when I heard Coach Andrew's voice ring out. Hearing her voice immediately brought me back many decades as I had the urge to drop and give her 40 pushups!
When Coach Andrews asked us to jump, we responded with, "How high and how many times"? We never questioned her as we knew she was a force who would get us to be our very best. We were a scrappy group of girls who she moulded into superior athletes taking us to state in both basketball and track during our senior year.
I learned that hard work, dedication, and striving for excellence would take me far in life. The principles she embedded within me ring strongly today. I am forever grateful for her encouragement and for pushing me to reach goals I considered to be unattainable.
MORAL CHARACTER - Although none of us are perfect, one of the big life lessons I learned from Coach Andrews was that even though we were athletes, we could still act like "ladies". What she meant by this was we were expected to use good manners on and off the court. We were also taught the value of how to win with class and to lose with grace.
We were never allowed to gloat over a win. We were required to look our opponents in the eye at the end of a game and give them a handshake with a smile. This lesson has proven to be extremely valuable in all areas of life, and specifically in business. I am thankful to have learned this skill early in my life.
HAVE FUN - Coach Andrews has an infectious laugh. No matter what, she could laugh at herself and us when it was warranted. One specific memory comes to mind when I was in a jump ball situation with a much, larger girl. I was hanging on to that ball with all that I had as I heard Coach Andrew's voice in my head saying, "Don't you ever let go of that ball!"
Well, I didn't let go of that ball and the other girl released both myself and the ball and watched us fly across the basketball court. I remember hearing my coach laughing hysterically as I lay prostrate on the floor wrapped around that ball! I was like, "Hey, I hung on!" The lesson, however, it's ok to laugh! It keeps things real.
There are so many other life lessons I have learned from Coach Andrews. She is still living in Granbury and is active as a vibrant volunteer. Today, she can still be found giving back, smiling, and telling funny stories. I love seeing her around town!
To honor her, we named one of our hotel rooms after her, the Leta Mae Suite. We feature her accomplishments which are numerous and impressive. Coach Andrews is one of those people who touches and impacts many lives! I am eternally thankful that I was one of those. Thank you, Coach!
This is my entry to the March 25, AR Challenge.
Comments(15)