<p>EmsDad, I enjoyed reading your story. Both my daughters grew up participating in both performing arts (several areas) and doing several sports each. My older one never wanted to give up any of these things and so tried to do it all up through to college (but in college, only could do one sport and not the others, or performing). She maintained one foot in the arts and one in athletics until she went to college. My younger one did all these same things too but during middle school, ran into schedule conflicts as she began to increase more in the performing arts areas and gave up all three of her sports by the end of middle school to pursue a life in theater (which appeared to be her “calling” starting in preschool…everyone knew it back then). I think those who she met in college have no idea the many years she spent as a soccer player, alpine ski racer, and figure skater. She does none of it any longer. I’m sure it was bittersweet to see your D’s last softball game (sounds like quite the game!). My older one played softball for years too, among several other sports. She (now 24) was recently home visiting and the other day she and her dad went to see the high school softball game for old times sake. My husband tends to catch some of the soccer games too for old times sake since our kids are not in it anymore and one D played for nine years and one played for 15 years and he misses it.</p>