To my chicklets, my babies, my girls, my dimes!

It has taken me sometime to write this as I  did not know what to say or how to say it to all of you. I know my leaving was untimely and very fast however; it was a necessary point in my life. I wish you could know the countless sleepless nights I went thru thinking of how in the world would I be able to move away from each and every one of you to live life for myself.  At the end of the day the only reason I can give you is I have lived my life for other people for over a decade and this was the first time I would be living for myself. It was time to take that step.

When we started our first week of bootcamp I was trying to make it a point not to learn any names! I tried not to learn thier first names because in the derby world you have a persona name that you are always called by on and off the track. Not kidding I actually started to think my real name was Sonya after a few months and when a family member called me and said, "Hi Michelle" I had to stop and think for a second. When we call each other at home we leave voicemail messages saying, "hey shelby it's sonya call me". In real life I am a michelle and Shelby is Michelle also!

Its Not what you think!!!

I recall a few months ago early in the summer we were having a garage sale to start raising funds or our track. I remember sitting with a few girls and just reflecting on my last league and how close our bond was and thinking out loud saying, "you will not believe you you are going to change in the next few months"...

They sorta chuckled and said yah, right, whatever. Not me I am not changing.. I said, "oh yes, you will". I said, " you will dress different, you will walk different and you will feel true sisterhood". I started to explain that a derby girls' bond with her league is a truely beautiful and a priceless thing.  It is as special as the most perfect rose mother nature has to offer. I remember they thought I was just some know it all, crazy lady that talks alot. With alot of little giggles as if they were saying, "yah as if"..

I just have to say we are really starting to learn some real roller derby now! I have never seen our girls so excited as they were Wed night to learn a simple body whip! It just made me all warm and fuzzy topped off with a funny giggle inside.

They were so excited to learn a simple body whip. The few of us veterans were excited to get to some real moves too. Some fresh meat made it harder than it needed to be. Some picked it up right away first try!

I still see many girls needing some serious confidence in themselves. I promise you ladies I am not here to leave you behind! Just keep up all your skating and its gonna flip like a little switch! I promise!

Your on the tip of the ice berg now.. We are going to start sliding into more derby moves so get ready for the thick of it!