"Yeah Karel! We get to play together!"

       I think about Virginia everyday and all the time. She was like my big sister and one of my closest friends. We played basketball together for 6 years at Upward and on Eastwood's team. I remember when Gary asked me my freshman year to come and play in the Varsity's Christmas Tournament. I was really excited at first and driving to Lee Scott I was pumped about it. We got in the locker room and Virginia said, "Karel. You better get excited! You get to play with the Varsity! And you'll love it and do great!!" Then, when we started warmups, I stayed with Virginia the ENTIRE time cause she was the one who kept helping me and reassuring me when I was getting discouraged or nervous. Gary called me over to the bench during warmups and was exaplainig all of Varsity's confusing plays and everything which did nothing besides make me more nervous. Finally, warmups were over and we were all "huddled" aroung Gary as he was showing the starters a few last minutes plays. As I was sitting on the bench, Maria and I were talking about the game and how much we wanted to go in and play and all my nerves were gone. Then, to my suprise, Gary comes over and says, "Karel. Maria. Yall go check in." I was like "No, No! I don't wanna go in!!" I checked in and I remember heading straight for my position-left wing. I looked around and saw Mary at point, and KK and Caroline in their positions. I was freaking out then looked across from me and saw Virginia. She was smiling of course! She quickly ran across to me and told me, "Yeah Karel! We get to play together!! All you gotta do is have fun and if you need help just ask me and I'll help you okay? Now, lets got have some fun!!" Once again, Virginia took all my nerves away and I had so much fun playing the rest of the game. I scored my first 2 Varsity points then too, and Virginia was the one who passed it to me for a lay-up. 

    I was reading through my hundreds of notes from Virginia and one she wrote me at the beginnig of this past school year said, "I love playing basketball with you... I can't wait for basketball season, I really like playing Tuesday and Thursday nights! And I'm really excited that you will be on Varsity team this year, it will be a lot of fun!" When I read that the first time I was so excited about playing my Sophomore and Junior baksetball season with her. But when I read it right after the accident, I just couldn't help by cry. I never had the chance to officially play on Varsity with Virginia which is really hard. After tryouts, Gary have us an A or B which told us if we were starting or not. I got an A. Which I was excited about since I would start. Then later I was talking to Izzy and then Gary later and realized that I was taking Virginia's spot. I didn't want to do that cause it was her position and I didn't want to take it from her. Gary then told me that it wasn't her's anymore and that she would love for me to play it for her. That really helped and I Know it's true. Now, whenever I step onto the basketball court, I think of her! 

    Like other people have said, many of my memories with Virginia have been during basketball and this past season was really hard without her. When we found out we were going to state, we were really exicted. Although,  some of us didn't really want to go without Virginia. But, we soon realized that Virginia would want us to go and have the best time of our lives and glorify God while doing it. The whole weekend pretty much I, along with the rest of the team, was thinking about Vig and how much we wanted her there but she had the best seat in the house up in Heaven!! At the basketball banquet, Gary gave each of us on Varsity a yellow rose. And he didn't leave out Virginia. Her jersey was hanging up in the front and he put a rose on it... right by #11. It made me tear up cause even though she isn't physically here with us she is and always will be the heart of our team! Each time I pick a baketball or play in a game I think of her and the modivation, love, and detecation she had towares the sport and how she spend each moment of her life, even during basketball, to glorify our Heavenly Father! She brought the ECS Lady Warriors Varsity Basketball Team 2010-2011 closer than we ever thought we'd be. And I thank her so much for that and I thank God for putting Virginia in each of our lives because if we hadn't known her, who knows where we would be! We are all so blessed to have had her in our lives!

     I was reading on this website some of the things people have posted on her facebook wall and some of them made me cry once again. Several said that even though they didn't know Virginina very well, she sitll impacted their lives and even they noticed her smile and love for Christ and EVERYONE around her. Goodness. She was such a miraculous girl who I miss like crazy and I cannot wait until I see her again. She was the most humble, sweet, loving, funny, beautiful girl I know and her life has challenged me in my walk with Christ! I Love you Vig!!