THANK YOU

When my Dad asked me to put a team in to play pool in the Womens' Rack 'N' Roll Pool League (nineteen years ago), I thought he was nuts. I had played about 6 games in my whole entire life, most of those when I was about 12 or 13. Well...19 years later, I've come to realize that putting a team together and playing in this league was the best thing I could have done because...I didn't just join a league. We are a collective group of women who have come together, made friends, bonded over births, weddings, divorces, marriages, excuses to have a shooter, reasons to celebrate, and times when things are hard. I'm proud to have been a part of this league for so many years, I can call myself an old timer. I've had the privilege of watching our group grow. I've seen girls come and go. I've heard some good, some bad, and some ugly. I've seldom ever seen any of the bad or ugly. I've seen a lot of things over the years, and it has been a rewarding ride. But what I saw last night...touched me more deeply than I could ever say. Last Sunday, one of my own team mates - Crystal Young - passed away. Last night we had our Awards Dinner for the league. Before I even walked into the building last night, I started feeling the love. Once inside, I was approached and hugged by so many of these incredible women...and the support flowed all night. My Girls - Tara Hawley-Renault, Laura Maedel Rox and I, along with Crystal's best friend Angelique Robinson (who also plays in the league), stood up and gave a little speech to express our grief and ask for help for the 3 young children our friend Crystal left behind. What happened next leaves me speechless...(for those of you who know me, that's quite something). This League Of Women...this group of friends...showed me just how incredible they are as a whole. I am completely overwhelmed. So I need to tell you all...ladies of the Rack 'N' Roll Pool League...I am honored to be one of US. I am proud to belong to this group of women who come together when the chips are down. Mom and Dad - Paul Maedel and Fern Maedel - it's not always easy for you, but you two have built more than just a pool league. You have created a whole other family. Well done, Mom and Dad. Well done. And my girls - all you Tuesday Night girls - thank you is not enough...but it's all I have. Your landslide of compassion, support, love and generosity will never be forgotten. Thank you ALL...for helping us pay it forward for Crystal and her kids... <3 <3 <3