One year ago today, our family made a big decision with Matthew retiring from coaching college lacrosse after 25 years. We knew it was the absolute best decision for all of us, but also knew it was a step into the unknown of what the future would hold for us. We knew we would stay in the area because of my career and we really like the area.
Here we are a year later with our house packed and two weeks away from moving a huge 6 miles into Round Rock ISD to make sure we live in the area where Keaton will attend school. It will also be closer to my work and shorten Matthew’s drive a bit. It doesn’t hurt the house has a gigantic yard! We are excited about the new chapter we started this last year and I must admit, it has all turned out better than I could have imagined.
It is amazing none of us have missed Matthew coaching in the last year… not even him. We have openly reflected on the time we now have as a family and the time we have had to travel (Denver for a wedding, spring break cruise, Baylor sporting events) and both of us being able to attend Keaton’s venture into sports (lacrosse, basketball, and now baseball). Matthew no longer coaching has allowed me to take on more things at work and with my role with AFSP. Keaton might have enjoyed it most with daddy having the time to play catch, teach him to ride a bike, and video game time.
Our family poured our hearts into Matthew’s coaching career. We went to every home game, many practices, held team dinners, and even traveled a few times with the team. Keaton knew nothing else but his dad being a coach and while we were afraid he would miss it, he hasn’t.
As the years went on much of the fun of the game started to waiver… being a coach’s wife can be hard with your spouse traveling, but probably the hardest part is the loneliness that happens at games. Parents think you don’t hear them talking about your husband and how they don’t agree with him and how their precious child can do no wrong. As the wife, you have to be the bigger person and turn your head and pretend you don’t hear… even though you are dying to defend the person you love. You experience players disrespecting your best friend and you have to take the high road. This feeling was not new to me. I had experienced it when my dad was a superintendent… but it doesn’t mean it was any easier.
Learning I have to keep the truth in my heart and not scream it from the top of the stands or in a rant on twitter has been a hard lesson, but an important one for me. Our society is at a place where everyone has to say everything and be right. When we don’t agree with someone, we tell them off through the comfort of our computer screen. We are able to say what we want, truth or not, without any repercussions. Learning the art of holding my tongue and finding comfort in holding truth in my heart probably has been the most important lesson over the last year for me. Matthew often states you can’t argue facts with beliefs… and these wise words I keep close to me.
So as we continue on this new chapter, I take the transition as a time to reflect on life’s teachings. I am thankful for our new normal and more time as a family. I am thankful I have a partner in life who makes transitions look easy. I am thankful I have learned not engaging is at times the best decision. I am thankful our family is in a better place in all aspects of life.
Amy Bigbee Grosso, PhD 