We came barreling around the curve and I could hear

the snow crunch under the tires. I glanced at the speedometer. “Will you please slow down?” I asked Steven. “The weather is getting worse and I’m worried we will hit some ice.” The snow was falling hard now and I could barely

see the road!

“You’ve got this!” Sara cheered, standing on the sidewalk. She watched as her dad followed closely behind her little brother’s bike. As he let go, she couldn’t help but think of when she first learned to ride a bike. She could still feel her heart racing and remember how scared she was, waiting for her dad to let go. She knew exactly how her brother was feeling.

“Don’t miss, don’t miss, DON’T miss,” is all I could hear in my head. Well, that, and the 10,000 fans around me. Standing at the foul line I couldn’t help but think back to the championship game last year. The feeling of missing the game winning foul shots will stay with me forever. That was motivation though for me to get better in the off- season.

“Friday night lights are my favorite!” Dad told Justin, on the way to the football game. “When I was in school, it was my favorite time of year. Everyone in town would head to the stadium to watch our high school team. Some of my greatest memories are of those times.” Justin was so excited to get to experience the game with his dad!

“This is SO not a good idea,” Marla whispered to Ashley as they snuck down the hall. “If my brother finds out, we are going to get into so much trouble.” The floor boards creaked underneath of them and the two girls froze, too nervous to move.

Growing up in a foster home had never been easy for Lorelei. She had lived in more places then she could remember, and never truly felt at home. Could today be different? She heard voices down the hall, her foster mother seemed to be talking to someone and Lorelei swore she heard the word “adopt”!

The sky was a brilliant shade of bright blue. The sun couldn’t hide its cheeriness, shining and smiling down on the world. Reese walked down the street with a little extra pep in her step, ready to take on the day.

Luca stood, rooted to the spot. He had a rustling noise, like something slithering on leaves. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his mom headed for the leaf pile. He had always been afraid of snakes, and so had his mom. He wanted to warn her, but he couldn’t make himself move!

“You’ve got this!” Sara cheered, standing on the sidewalk. She watched as her dad followed closely behind her little brother’s bike. As he let go, she couldn’t help but think of when she first learned to ride a bike. She could still feel her heart racing and remember how scared she was, waiting for her dad to let go. She knew exactly how her brother was feeling.

“Don’t miss, don’t miss, DON’T miss,” is all I could hear in my head. Well, that, and the 10,000 fans around me. Standing at the foul line I couldn’t help but think back to the championship game last year. The feeling of missing the game winning foul shots will stay with me forever. That was motivation though for me to get better in the off- season.