Memory Court

So my body felt a feeling today that it hasn't in years: the power of volleyball knee-pads, warm with use, pushed down to my ankles after a hard-won victory.

I started a volleyball league today. The first time that I have played competitively since LVC, since my knee was so twisted and ripped that rolling over in bed would put me on crutches for a week.

And I loved every minute of it. The fact that we kicked ass didn't hurt either!

Playing tonight brought back memories that had been long repressed. The feeling of walking through deserted school hallways in gym clothes, sitting on the sidelines keeping score, and paying no attention to the clock, or when to be home.

I remember winning at St. Mary's - whatever championship it was, and our pictures got in the paper. I served half the game that day. With each ace, as if the sport itself wasn't enough activity, we would slam our hands down on the ground, jump excitedly and yell "ACE!" I remember playing in one gym where the roof was so low that almost every time we set we hit the roof and lost points. I remember taking the bus back to Taber with the boys, it was dark, cold and the subs we stopped to get were delicious.

I guess the longer I have been in Edmonton the more I have forgotten of a life in a very distant past. Today was a resurrection of a more athletic and competitive me. I miss that me.

Glad to have that part of me back, or at least talking loud enough I can hear.