Love Runs Deeper Than Blood

USWNT CAMP- The Carli Talk pt. 2

Once Sammie's foot was propped up, and secured in the ice brace, Carli pulled up a chair, and sat at the bottom of the bed. (side note- if you ever have a foot injury, an ice brace is the greatest investment you will ever make. It is seriously my saving grace... Anyways back to the story)
"So Sammie. As we all saw, you are an extremely talented goal keeper, and have the potential to be very, very good. Now, you have what is called raw talent. That just means, the talent you are born with, not the talent you develop. You have the framework, so to speak. Now, having the framework is not all you need. You need to hone in on your skills. You don't work at something until you get it right, you work at something until you can't get it wrong. You with me so far?"
"Yeah" Sammie said
"So anyways. You need to learn that hard work is of the essence. Once this foot situation is all fixed, your parents will sign you up for a team, where you'll get training. You need to work hard. There is going to be some days where coach is making you run, and run and run some more. Your legs and your lungs will be burning, but it will be worth it. You will come to realize that great things come to those who dedicate themselves to becoming the best you can be. Is soccer is something you are passionate about?"
"Yeah. I love it!"
"Great. Then in order to make it to the top, you're going to have to make sacrifices. That's not to say you can't enjoy your childhood and friendships, but there is going to be a time where you are going to have to miss a mall trip with your friends for a practice or game or lifting session. It may seem like nothing at the time, but putting those extra days and hours in will benefit you in the long run. When I was younger, I let my talent do the work. I had the skills, but I was slow and out of shape. Once I got cut from the U-21 national team, I almost quit. Then I was introduced to my trainer James Galanis. He taught me the most important lesson I ever learned. Hard work will only get you to a certain point. Blood, sweat, tears, dedication, hard work, that is what gets you to the top. You understand?"
"Yeah I do. Thanks Carli."
"No problem. Now about your foot, take that back with you, it was my saving grace when I hurt my foot. You need to ice and elevate every day at least 3 times for 25 minutes at a time to get back as soon as you can. Also, it will be important to do some arms and core workouts while you can't walk. If you do that, you'll come back even stronger. Once you are cleared to walk in the boot, doing the bike will be helpful when getting your stamina back, so will swimming a little later in your recovery, especially since the tendon you hurt is to help move side to side, and swimming is up and down movements. Now since I know you're tired, and probably don't want to use these," she said gesturing to the crutches, " I'll carry you back to your room. Hop on" she said squatting down.
"I'm gonna make it to the top one day Carli. I'm gonna work hard and then I'll get there."
"You sure will Sam. Definitely." She replied while Sam hopped on her back.
"I'll bring our crutches to you after I drop you off, ok?"
"Yeah sure thanks"
Carli carried Sam to the Krieger-Harris room, and knocked in the door. Ali answered.
"Oh hey ladies. You didn't have I carry her, Car."
"No it's fine. I offered."
"Oh ok. Well thank you. I'll come back with you to grab we crutches, so you don't have to came back."
"Ok, what bed is hers?"
"The one by the window."
Carli walked Sammie in, and placed her gently in bed.
"Night Sam." She said. Then she got close and whispered in her ear, "believe and work hard and you'll do great things." Carli got up, and Sammie smiled to herself.
"Thanks for the ice pack Carli!" Sam called.
"No problem. Use it."
"I will."
"What ice pack?" Ash looked up from her phone.
"This one." She said holding it up. "It goes on my foot like a brace and it straps on. That way I can ice and crutch if I needed to."
"Of course Carli would have that!" Ash joked. "She has everything ice related known to man!"
"She said she has another one too. That's why she gave me this one."
"Well that was really nice if her. You can put on what you want, Champ. " Ash said, tossing her the tv remote.

WITH ALI AND CARLI
"So what did you talk to her about?" Ali asked.
"Just that hard work is what really benefits you not talent. Then I gave her some tips on what workouts to do while she is sill on crutches, and when she gets off but is still in the boot. "
"Wow. Thanks Car. It means a lot."
"It was no big deal at all. See you tomorrow Ali." She said handing her the crutches.
"Yeah see you. We have a day off, right?"
"Yeah, we're free after breakfast."
"Ok cool. Thanks again."
"Yeah no problem." And with that, Ali headed back to her room. She got there to find her daughter passed out on the bed, and her wife watching sports center.
"Hey babe." Ali greeted.
"Hi als. What did Carli talk to her about? Did you ask?"
"Yeah a just like how hard work is really what pays off, not talent, dedication, sacrifices, and she even told her how to stay in shape and what exercise to do while she's on crutches. She also told her what exercises to do when she's walking in the boot."
"Wow. I'm so glad we had Carli talk to her. "
"Yeah me too. We really got a special one. She's so good at everything, and it's not just that but she's the sweetest kid ever. And she's totally humble about it. Like whenever someone asks her about how good she is, she isn't one to brag. Not many kids are like that."
"We did get really lucky."
"Good night ash. We have a free day tomorrow. We should see if Tobs, Alex, JJ and Pressy wanna do something."
"Yeah. We'll talk to them at breakfast. Good night Alex. I love you."
"I love you too Ash."

AN: so here it is. Please leave feedback, criticism, what you like what you don't like. Prompt suggestions. ANYTHING!
Thanks for reading!!