For Love Of The Game

Okay, I'll admit it. I hate Jeter. Okay, I still hate Jeter. However, I love baseball. I always have. I have met great baseball players in my lifetime including Ron Washington and Derek Holland. I also had dinner with Pudge Rodriguez for two hours and that was a beautiful day. So you could say I am a huge Rangers fan. So, I automatically despise everything to do with the Yankees. Including Derek Jeter.

I always thought Derek Jeter had this pompous, arrogant attitude about him and honestly, I hated it. I still do. He knows he is good. I guess that;s why he get paid the big bucks. However, despite how good he is, I can't stand the guy. I don't know why. He's awesome. He's talented. And honestly, if I were to see him walking down the street - I'd probably ask him for his autograph.

This year, I changed my views on DJ. I realize that he is a class act. And more importantly, DJ and I have some things in common. Derek Jeter retired from the game that he loved this season. I know that he has probably gone to bed many night exhausted and cried himself to sleep because - honestly, who in their right mind would give up the game they love. Yet, sometimes you know it's over. Sometimes you have to give it all up.

The funny thing, Derek, is that I get you. Time caught up with you. You had a successful career. You were one of the few people who can look back and say to yourself, "I made it!" Unlike some of us whose careers ended at the age of 17, Derek, you had the life that I will never have. You played the game because you loved the game. I love you for that. I love you for playing baseball. I love you for loving the game and giving 100% every time on that field. You didn't care about the money - you cared about the game.

Derek, I look forward to seeing where life takes you from here. You'll probably become a great manager or something. But even if you step away from baseball for good, know that you have a closet fan rooting for you. I never gave you the respect  you deserved. But you played the game damn well and you should be proud.

Your Story Matters

A year ago, I made up my mind to run for student body president. When campaigns began, I was confident in my platform. I wanted to bring change to this campus. Unfortunately, I lost. I was upset. I was angry. I was frustrated in something that I had worked very hard on.

A year ago, I was under the impression that the only way that changes could be made on campus was by being Student Body President.

Today, I made a change on campus without being student body president. I made a change on campus without having to ask anyone's permission. I made a change on campus by being a small, moving part to a Student Activities Committee.

Today, we observed, for probably the first time in campus history...World Suicide Prevention Day. We had an event during the last 10 minutes of chapel where we informed people about world suicide prevention day. We showed a video. And then I was invited on stage to share my heart.

Normally, college students are hard to keep quiet. They don't necessarily care about what is happening in Chapel...and for 10 minutes, no one said a word. The entire place was silent - listening intently to my heart which soon rang true for their hearts too.

Afterwards, I invited students to walk outside, grab a sharpie from our table, and write Love on their arms. Needless to say, sometimes events at HPU are hit and miss. I had already made up my mind that only a handful of students would participate. I was preparing myself for the worse yet as I walked outside, I wasn't even aware of where our table was set up because there were so many people.

I am in awe of the hearts on this campus who have listened to the call that Jesus Christ has put in our lives. I am in awe that people were interested in being informed about suicide.

All these jumbled thoughts to say that you don't have to be president to make things happen. You don't have to be a leader on campus to make things happen. You just have to want change. You just have to need change. You just have to be the change you want to see.

And if you are someone who struggles with suicide, know that you are loved. And that no one can take your place. Your story matters.