The beginning of my return to what I love

It has been almost a year since my life changed.

For almost 12 years I was able to do what I wanted for a long time and that was cover sports. During that time I was applying this craft at the Newnan (GA) Times-Herald until I was let go.
Why the parting was disappointing, the rest of the time was an experience or as the song from Dirty Dancing goes "I've had the time of my life and I owe it all to you".
Since I am not a very good dancing whether it is clean or dirty, I won't comment any further on the movie.

My last story was about Will Smith who pitched at Northgate High School in Newnan and this year made his major league baseball debut at Yankee Stadium.

While it was not a winning debut, it was still positive because this guy was able to pitch in a major league uniform and I was thrilled for him to get that opportunity.

Will was not the first player I covered who made it to the big time as former East Coweta infielder Brad Emaus began the 2011 season with the New York Mets.

Over that time I watched players from other schools including Dexter Fowler who played baseball for Milton High School and is now with the Colorado Rockies and there was this guy who played football and baseball at Sandy Creek High School who is nicknamed "Megatron".

Most of us know him as Calvin Johnson who has managed to carve a niche as the star wide receiver of the Detroit Lions.

While it has been a thrill to watch some of these athletes in action, there have been a few that have gone to "the next step in their lives.

Sadly, one of those I covered was Nick Whitlock who played football and baseball at Newnan High School around 1999 and this year lost his life while serving his country.

While there have been those to go on and have a positive influence in society, there have been those who basically threw their lives away and are spending time in our prison system.

I have also met a number of parents along the way who have been cool and others that I hope change their ways.

Among the parents I met was Rick Behenna who had a son named Brandon play sports at East Coweta.

Rick is best known for being a part of one of the worst trades in the history of the Atlanta Braves when they acquired Len Barker from the Cleveland Indians in 1983 for Rick and two other players.

He would only pitch three seasons before shoulder injuries curtailed his career, but Rick and his wife Kim raised a family and he had a successful career with Fedex.

Rick passed away three months ago from Colon Cancer but he battled that illness to the end and he had a large crowd at his visitation which included a number of photos of the life he lived.

Those are examples of what 12 years of my life contained and I miss it immensely.

I want back into the game and hopefully I can but unfortunately the road to a return has met with many blocks

Sadly, it appeared that the world kept moving right along without my participation in it.
However, that happens to all of us at some point and you hope to overcome it and move on despite the difficulties.

In my attempt to regain my confidence, etc., I hope this blog helps me at least start to reach that goal.

I may place stories, photos and commentaries but right now I am unsure. 
For now I am just beginning my return to what I love or fling stuff off the wall and see what sticks.