When I was growing up my Mom would often make lists of chores for my sisters and I to complete. There were five of us to divey up the work. They were typically chores for a Saturday and Sunday which of course meant, no play time until they are completed. I would love when she had them posted ahead of time so I could plan my strategy for speedy completion. Nothing felt better than to be done and out the door to play with my friends. I loathed the days she forgot to make lists. Those were the days we would have to complete a task and go ask for another one. Basically, you never knew when you were done, not the surprises I looked forward to. The best times of all were when you came up with your own chore without being told, like cleaning the garage or organizing your messy closet. I remember how happy my Mom would be and excited that you took it upon yourself to get a job done. Not much different how I feel when I see one of my players practicing on an "off" day! 😊
When you travel with a team to various places around the country, there are always surprises. Take for instance this past weekend while at the Big Ten Championships in Pittsburgh, we were looking for a local place to eat, which is no surprise. We found a place called Ladles, an Italian restaurant "off the beaten path", as they like to say. A small run down, yellow shack with homemade décor flanking the walls. We walked in and heads turned immediately as if we were something or someone they have never seen in this place. Which wasn't far from the truth. It's the type of place where people in the neighborhood walk to and everyone is related, both staff and patrons. I am pretty sure "Mary" our server was just called in as a favor to help out, on a busy night. The kind of person you just love who calls it as it is, doesn't bother with flowery words and who probably never lied in her life! When I asked her what on the menu is a favorite she said, honey I only eat chicken, but it seems we sell a lot of salmon! 😊 When one of my players asked if the chicken on her pasta was fried, she said I have no idea. When she brought her dinner out she said, I told the chef not to fry anything on this plate, so I think you are good. The food was delicious, the people simply real, and the décor looked like it was made from the local arts and crafts class. The chef was outside having his smoke when we left the restaurant. A short statured perfectly round, older man with his apron on. I asked him, did you make our meal? He said, only if it was good! No surprise, it was.
Anne and Lou Waller have long been team parents having both daughters attend and play at Penn State. They reside in Pittsburgh and insisted on treating the team to Mortons. An upscale steak house with only people that are out for a special occasion dining there. We were surprised with our very own private room that Anne decorated with Penn State buttons, local chocolate and beautiful blue and white flower vases. The players were in "heaven". We ate like queens dining on filet mignon, topped with sauteed mushrooms and butter infused with all sorts of deliciousness. The type of place that no matter how stuffed you are, you have to try the dessert, since you know it will be something decadent. It was a truly special evening with some very special people.
The last day of the Big Ten Championship, I was preparing for the day making sure to get my sunscreen applied even though it was a chilly 40 degrees. I looked up and there stood four of my past players. Surprise!!! Kristin Reboul, Meg Donohue, Kerry Lee Hall, and Cathy McClatchy not only were they past players but they were the first team I had as a head coach. They were wearing some of the gear we wore back then. I could not believe they still had it. On their heads were matching hats that said WE ARE and on the back of the hat, Denise's favorite team! Hilarious! We laughed, I cried, and we laughed some more. Not a whole lot different from those early days in the 90's except the crying part. What a perfect surprise.
We started out the day a crispy 42 degrees, with a few pockets of sunshine, not bad. Surprisingly, as we approached the back nine the winds kicked up and the clouds rolled in as it became a very chilly sub 40-degree temperature. I approached the final hole with my player from France, Mathilde. As we walked up to the 18th green there was a noticeable applause from a sea of people, mostly wearing the Blue and White. Another coach said to me, that is for Penn State. What??? Yes, surprise, I turned to Mathilde and said how awesome is this, makes me want to cry. She said, don't look at me coach I am not going to hug you! Spoken in her true French form! Ha! Hence surprendre! I was overwhelmed. The kind of overwhelming feeling that sends your stomach in a small knot as you fight back the tears of emotions. What a special surprise, so kind and so warm, and so unexpected. The best surprise of all!
