There are moments in all of our lives where we are forever changed. We do not know when those moments are coming, and, in a way, that is why they are beautiful. The suddenness of something, the unprepared feeling that we have, combines with the situation to create events that will impact us for the rest of our lives. Does all this sound pretty philosophical? Let me give you some concrete images to illustrate this.

The year was 2013. The month was January. I was one semester into a two-year MA program in English at Western Kentucky University. I had just finished the first 3 of my 11 courses in the fall, and I had done more work than I did in 4 years of undergraduate work (but that is a story for another day). Anyway, I had a class that met on Monday nights called “The Romantic Period.” When I had been an undergraduate, I hadn’t really given much attention to the writers of this era (Wordsworth, Byron, Shelley, Blake, Coleridge, Keats, etc.), but I wanted to give them a chance. Anyway…

I am sitting in the classroom when a man, the professor, walks in. I did not know him yet, but I had heard he was a very tough dude grade-wise. Not knowing what to expect, I sat there and watched him as he walked to the front of the room. Without saying much other than hello, he turned on a YouTube video of a song (Albatross – Fleetwood Mac) and let it run. The music was pretty chill, and, as the scenes unfolded behind the music, I remember thinking “hey…this may just be all right! I think I can get into this stuff.” Long story short, that ended up being my favorite class during my time at WKU, and I specialized in the Romantics, and that professor served as the chair of my oral exam.

The moment where it hit me, though, was that song. That first night of class. It resonated with me in a way that still stirs me to this day. I ended up downloading the song, and, as I drove home from that class (it met from 5:00-8:00 every Monday night), I would play it on my CD player as I cruised the streets of Bowling Green.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, as I said earlier, there are moments in our lives that happen and change us forever. I know that I am currently living one – being your coach at BCHS. You all inspire me daily with what you do. Seeing you act as leaders in the hallways, seeing you all bonding at practice, seeing you all encourage one another when times get tough, seeing you all grow closer as a team and as friends…all of those things inspire me to get out there every day and give it my best. I look forward to continuing to grow with you.

The thing about these moments is that they come about unexpectedly. I can tell you this – do not pass this opportunity up to grow as a team. The foundation is here, and we cannot be stopped. Cherish this time.

I’ll leave a link to the song for you in case you are interested (please don’t think I’m too much of a weirdo, though…)

See you tomorrow.

Coach (Mr.) Garrett

Fleetwood Mac – Albatross