I Won't Let Go

Prologue

*A song that I base the title off of is "I Won't Let Go" by Rascal Flatts. I love the message, and it fits my story well! I hope you listen to it and try to conncet it to my story! Please like and comment! Thanks!*

He was the first one to ever teach me how to ride my bike, throw my first baseball, but most importantly shoot my first basket. I was only four years old when that day came.

“You can do it sweetie, Come on!” he said, cheering me on.

“I’m not strong enough Daddy!” I say back.

“That’s not how winners act! Think positive!” He says, reassuring me.

“But Daddy it’s too tall!” I say.

“Awe come on! It's not that tall."

"What if I miss?"

"You won't miss. You never know once you try. What do I always tell you?”

“You miss one hundred perdent of the shots you never take?’

“You got it darlin’ now just put it right over that rim, just like your brother does.”

This hoop wasn’t your old Little Tykes hoops all kids get when their little. This is the ten foot hoops all players use to this day. Sure, I had one when I was like 2, but as soon as my dad thought I was strong enough, he had me shooting from the big hoop. This was my first attempt at a real hoop and I thought I was going to fail. My dad believed in me.

“Remember what I told ya sweetie,” he said. “It’s all in the legs, I know you got strong legs from running all the time.”

"You are the one that chases me!"

We both laugh, and I muster all the strength I could to shoot the ball. I held the ball like it was my prized possession, my whole life. I put all my energy into the shot. All my focus was on that ball. I did the classic four year old squat and pushed the ball with all my might.

Swish! The ball sailed in perfectly. My first shot ever on a big hoop, and it went in!

“Ha that’s my girl I knew you could do it! We have a star in the making!”

 He ran to me and picked me up in his arms. I hugged him with all my might. He squished me so tight I thought all the juice in my body was going to come out. He only did it because he was proud, and I was too.

After he was done, he held me right in front of him and started to get all “Mr. I’m Serious” on me. At first I thought I was in trouble but then he gave me one of his million dollar smiles to relax me.

“Baby girl, I want you to remember that you never let anyone stop you from making your dreams come true, even yourself. Nobody can tell you what you can't do. Don't even let yourself do that," he said to me.

This was some heavy stuff to say to a four year old, but I kept listening.

"Set your goals now. Even if they are too high to reach, I don’t care, just shoot for them. Shoot for them just like when you shot that ball, right in the hoop.” He paused then continued. “I know your just a little girl, but I’m telling you this now so I make sure it’s said. I love you so much. I know this is a lot to handle baby girl, but I know you’re smart”

It was true; I was smart for a four year old. I will never forget what he said, not even one word

“How about we get some ice cream to celebrate?” he said.

“Yeah Ice Cream!!!!” I exclaimed.

"Scotty's sound good?" he asked.

"Yes!" I said.

He knew that Scotty's was the place to go. We both climbed into the truck and headed on our way to the shop.

“Don’t worry I won’t tell Mom,” I whispered into his ear.

"That's my girl," he said back.

We hoped into his red truck and headed to Scotty’s. I got the usual; vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles and caramel. So did my dad. He usually get's something different, but I begged him to get the same. We sat on a bench outside and talked.

“I’m so proud of your darling,” he said.

“Thanks Daddy!” I said. I took a big bite and got a brain freeze. Ice cream covered my face like a thick fog in the early morning. It was everywhere. My dad laughed and wiped it off with a napkin.

We could always joke around together. We both were funny and laid back. I got his laid back personality and his crystal blue eyes. He told me that pretty eyes run in the family. It’s true we Baxter’s have pretty eyes!

“Daddy, when I grow up I wanna be a basketball player!” I shouted

“Whatever you want baby girl, just shoot for it,” he said.

We sat there enjoying the great summer day eating ice cream together. It was great. If only this moment could last a lifetime.