It is really a nothing photo to anyone except for those captured in it.
It shows a group of young women - likely in 1985/1986 - warming up for a long ago forgotten volleyball match.
I can name almost everyone here, most of whom are still friends.
It feels like a lifetime ago - the years spent in a gym - without a care in the world.
If only we had all realized how special we were. Every single player in this photo received a full ride athletic scholarship.
Every one.
One of us became a 4-time Olympian.
Most of us are mothers.
There are a few teachers in the group.
Two of us have/had breast cancer.
In fact, if the camera had captured the moment a little sooner, or a little later, it would picture three of us who have had breast cancer.
Out of the 10 sixteen year-olds - 3 of us.
So I googled (I had to, just this once) - odds of getting breast cancer in your lifetime.
The chances of a women developing breast cancer in her lifetime are 1 in 8.
The chances of a girl receiving a full ride scholarship for playing volleyball are pretty slim. About 380,000 girls compete in volleyball, while just 6,000 receive scholarship money. Most do not receive a full ride.
We were a group that beat the odds.
One of us is right now up against what appear to be insurmountable odds. Odds stacked so deeply against her that the only thing that will get her out of this jam is a miracle.
Considering what this group of girls have been able to accomplish, I wouldn't put it past her.
We are all thinking of you "S". We love you.
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