A piece of history

Yesterday I had a wonderful opportunity to return to some of my old roots, or previous affiliations.  I was part of a team years ago and had an alumni reunion/mini tournament.  It was great to be back in action since it has been almost 2 years since putting on those special shoes.  I would say there is a reason we used to practice so much, it really does help.  I enjoyed playing and it reminded me how much I loved that part of my history.  In reflecting things with my husband on the drive home, I am glad that I had such an opportunity and despite the fact I miss it greatly, I am happy with the events that lead me down a different path and the one that lead me to him and eventually where we are today. 
I often reflect on some of the "missed" moments or chances of my past and wonder how I can change the things I do today to reflect or better myself for tomorrow because I can not change the past.  Basically I try to give myself some future hindsight, if that is even possible!  I also hope that I can put that knowledge into raising my children and helping them get the most out of whatever they are doing and not have regret or desire to relive the past.  I know that it isn't always possible, we learn much through our own experiences, and some of those can't be prevented even though people try to help us.  At least I can remember someone trying to teach me something, but I just didn't take until I went through what they were trying to help me avoid.  But it is also those things that develop and define who we are-this I realize and I want my kids to have those experiences, just without having to 'fall the whole way down' before they get back up.
I also have been thinking how it is that I can let some of those people in my past know how grateful I am that I was a part of it and to thank them for the past and also the work that went into yesterday.  A thank you note seems best, but I wonder if it will relay what I truly feel or even if it will be proper.  The things that I wonder sometimes.
I was also payed a priceless comment.  I doubt the person who said it even knows how much it means to me.  I am a competitor, and I put a lot of effort into the past and the commitments I had made to be part of the team.  I took it serious and I didn't always pay attention to how my attitude or emotion affected others around me.  That said I never felt "a favorite."  So the compliment that "I was one of their favorite players" and that "I still have it" really means a lot to me.  Since it has been YEARS and there have been MANY others I would have never put myself in that category.  Some things are nice to hear!  So tell people when you appreciate them, you never know just how much it might make their day.
(Oh and I know I am not a good writer :)