My father was my number one fan of sports; we played golf, softball, and volleyball together. He helped me learn the rules of the game and how to be a team player. He taught me that the lessons I learn on the field or on court are ones that will carry over into my everyday life. His passion and wisdom made me fall in love with sports, especially volleyball. Volleyball was my lifeline and favorite sport; it was my crutch to lean on in middle school. When I struggled to fit in with my peers, I always had a team of friends to count on. And I could count on my dad being there for me. My father provided more than support and laughter and love; he cooked every meal, fixed small projects around the house, and took care of all of the finances. There was never a moment where he wasn’t there ready to make sure that everything was in place. This was how he carried himself, always shining and taking care of others even after he was diagnosed with Cancer. He may have begun moving slowly, but he was still ever present taking care of me and my three siblings. During his sickness, my family slowly realized how much we relied on him. When my father passed away in June 2022, we were lost. Losing him makes me wish I had told him more thank yous for all that he did for us. My siblings and I struggle with the fact that he will not meet our future children or watch us continue to grow up. I struggle knowing if I’m on a court, field, or stage, his face won’t be in the audience. Staying motivated to accomplish anything was difficult because I no longer had my father. However, I was able to slowly see how all he taught me never left. The lessons he taught me, big and small, are the ones I continue to live by. I am able to communicate efficiently with others and show empathy due to my being a captain while playing club sports. When I am currently coaching volleyball with a club team called Strive to give back the amazing formative experience club volleyball was for me. I have also been working at local high schools playing with middle schoolers in camps to instill in them the many lessons I learned from sports. But not only that, I am doing for them what my father did for me--teach, encourage, build, inspire, cheer, redirect, and support. My father was so many different things to me, so many different aspects of my life.