South Texas Shooters (Photography That Is!)

The past few days have been a time of thought, transition, sadness, sorrow, questioning, remembering, recalling, smiles, warmth, understanding, tears and prayers.

I suspect that all the above will go on for a long time and then some!

Back in 2019, I was told that a young woman I had met through the softball program at Texas State University had been diagnosed with The “Big C”. At that time I prayed, asked The Lord to bring healing to this extraordinary women, who I had met some 6 years earlier at an alumni game. It was not her play on the field that brought on an admiration that will last a lifetime, but after the game the alumni spoke to the current squad and it was during this time that I listened to an address to the athletes that was so genuinely from the heart, so full of passion, so full of spirit and Spring! That it grabbed my heart and soul, I can not recall her comments but that’s not what’s important, the fact that she was able to capture my old heart, mind and soul.

Over the years I have learned that her excitement and quest for Life captured many hearts. A person who would show up at 100% each and every time and had another 100% in reserve. To be around her, you could not help but be motivated, it was a certainty that you’d be motivated! She made me motivated each and every time we met. I told someone one day, she is the kind of person that could motivate you to run through a mine field, run through the fire, face a tank and come out victorious!! And if she asked me to do it again I would without a nanosecond of hestitation. As we would say in the Army, I’d follow her to Hell and Back!

There are only a few people you meet during your lifetime who bring that kind of admiration from my heart. There’s a line from a 90’s movie (A Bronx Tale) “You’re only allowed three great women in your lifetime. They come along like the great fighters, every ten years.”. Well this women would be one of the three great fighters in my lifetime.

A fighter to the end, always strong. Well this past weekend The Big “C” got the bell and took her from us. There is a hole in my heart today and I suspect it will remain till my last heartbeat, the remainder of my heart knows that she no longer suffers from the pain, she no longer has the trials and tribulations of this life. But my heart along with many other hearts will bear a hole. But again I think we can all agree that our lives have been blessed by having our life roads cross and parallel for a time. I know I am truly blessed to have known this magnificent women, athlete, coach, friend, leader and lover of life!

The photo shared here is one that I asked Texas State Softball to pose for right after I heard that she was battling The “C”. The image was made to let her know we are sharing our strength with her strength. I am forever grateful to Head Coach Woodard for allowing me to address the squad and ask them to pose on that chilly October day in 2019. I thank every member of the squad for allowing me the honor of capturing this moment. “We Shall Always Remain Spring Strong”

Jessica Ann Spring, January 5, 1981 – October 16, 2021