Never let it be said I never understood the sacrifices I've had to make along the ways. Everything has a price in this world, and my life hasn't exactly been cheap.

I've given up what i love more than anything more than once. So what? Step back, look toward the larger goal, move on. That's just the same song over and over.

I lost the game. But I still coach, i still watch it, but it's never the same. I'll never be between the lines again fielding and hitting.

I lost a relationship last year, because the fighting the constent bagering and yelling at me started to affect my school work. I had to make the sacrifice. And while, my beds rarely empty this day in age, it will never ever be the same. Band aids don't fix broken hearts too well.

It's all about that ending goal. A simple position in the most under apriciated job. Where for every one kid that learns ten more make it miserable.

But that's the goal the many "one" kids. And in the end, I'll be able to look back and know I gave up everything to be where I needed to be.

I asked to be granted the ability to play with others, and I achieved that, and accled at it. But it's over done and gone. I asked for one last chance at the relationship game, and I got a story that would make screen writers jellous. Again, that was my last chance, and it didn't work out.

All so one day I can sit behind my desk grading papers and saying to myself, "I deserve to be here."

-Marteney