Never the selfish one – always the one who gives – both in life and college and on the pitch in soccer.
She works hard – her degree will be in Engineering Science – a 3.85 GPA.
Maddy is on the right with her teammates and roommate.
She is up early before sunrise to hike and run – when she visited us this last spring – she was on the beach for sunrise – capturing pictures and filming – her minor is Photography.
She runs – she hikes mountains – and most of all – a team player.
Maddy – not celebrating her own goal – but that of a teammate – that is Maddy!
This is her and her life.
She distributes the soccer ball from the left wing position – pinpoints passing and so fast in doing so.
She loves to score – but she loves to see others do the same.
Number 13 Maddy – celebrating teammate’s score.
Dedication for four years straight – a team award for going above the recommended physical fitness regimen for her team. The BELL AWARD was given to those players pictured here and for four straight years, Maddy has achieved that award from her coach.
Maddy was second from left – four years straight given this award from the coach and team captain her senior year.
The four years have gone by so fast – she has done this on her own since she was a sophomore in H.S.
Thanks for reading Papa’s World – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog fitztdf@fitztdf
Papa’s World – The joy of college and soccer – MADDY!
OH MY! Here Sarah is first day of H.S. and Ella first day of college and soccer!
Now – Maddy is also in college – her third year of classes and also playing soccer!
Life is changing – Deb and Mike – from three girls at home – to now just Sarah.
The twin girls – soon to be 11 years old and Bode – soon to be 8 years old.
Are also growing up so fast – and so we live on through them!
Sarah growing up – almost as tall as Ella who is taller than Sherry at 5′ 9″ !
She is now in her first year of H.S. following in the footsteps of the other two. She also could of been a really good soccer player – but has chosen the arts as her focus – dance – acting – and writing!
She looks to me just like her mother Debby!
Full of life – independent – caring – and gives her dad a run for his money! LOL
Fashion – make up – leader in trends – this is Sarah!
Full of life – she wanted grandma to take her to NYC – now I think it is Paris!
She will walk her own path in life – always looking forward.
All three of these girls – are like this – never asking just giving – helping and caring for others.
Ella from her dorm room on campus of Randolph College in Lynchburg Va.
Her picture is her first day of classes and her first day of soccer practice.
She will compete against her sister Maddy in the same cofference – and Maddy is at
The University of Lynchburg – right across town from Ella!
Maddy played in 15 games as a Freshman and was a starter her Sophomore year.
Our calender is marked for when they play each other.
We hope to plan a long weekend to see them both.
Ella is so excited – on her own – no pressures from peers – just being Ella and playing soccer and taking classes.
As you can see in the picture – smiling – gentle – caring – “TINY” as we called her – all grown up!
And then there is Papa – Thomas David Fitzsimmons – graduating in May – 1967 – all those years ago.
My best H.S. friend – bottom right hand corner – Bobby – who we have reconnected the last ten years –
who in October will come for a visit – with his wife Pam – and we will play golf – beach it –
and just be talking of old times past!
Thank you for reading Papa’s World
WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
Here is our before 9:am. early morning walk – a little more crowed but nothing not expected! Looking South to North Myrtle Beach from where we enter the access to the beach.
From the beach access looking toward Cherry Grove – a few more people – but not a lot!
But – this is the beginning of the week for Spring Breakers –
and we noticed traffic getting heavey.
We have found our way around and avoid the high traffic on rte. 17!
We take the side streets as far as we can – and one side street takes up to where we can shop!
Now – in the afternoon we decided to do a couple hours of a beach day – taking and carrying our chairs to the beach. Here is the same view looking toward North Myrtle Beach – a lot more people and a lot of people in the water. But we still had our own space – no one within thirty feet of us!
Here is the same view in the afternoon looking toward Cherry Grove! And – it will get more crowed as Spring turns into Summer with vacations! We are in the open space and avoid large gatherings which happen mostly toward North Myrtle Beach town center. A lot of young H.S. and college students gather on the beach there in a large group. You just avoid them as they will do what they do regardless!
Being here is still our dream – we will come back often as we like it here –
but also where we are moving too – no traffic – country quiet – we can walk –
and still be in access to the other two beaches!
The beach here is very wide – I have been told it is the widest on the Grand Strand!
The twins gravitate toward their cousin Sarah – Bode – his idol is Ella.
It has been this way ever since he could walk and talk. ” Is Ella going to be there ” ? he will ask. Ella is our second oldest grand daughter – who will turn 16 this July. Bode is our youngest gran child
and the only boy out of SIX ! He turns FIVE in November . As you can see here – he absolutely adores her. ” Ella – you want to play “? he asks.
Both have been brought up eating Healthy – as have all the grand kids. That is priority number one for their parents – even though they both are cousins – it runs in the family.
This was taken before Ella’s soccer game and during her older sister’s game. Both play – Maddy is the starter on Midfield – varsity and Ella starts as midfielder on the J.V. team.
The varsity is 8 wins 2 loses & 1 tie.
The J.V. are 7 wins 1 loss & 3 ties.
Very proud of these two and Maddy signed a Letter Of Intent to play soccer at The University of Lynchburg in Va. We will make trips to watch her play.
Bode loves his cousin and she in turn choose to sit with him prior to her game – she has the biggest heart and to see them was priceless.
We all practice living to the plus – being together – and supporting one another. This is but one more day in PAPA’S WORLD .
Soon – that word – meaning like just around the corner – is about to happen!
Our little grand daughter Maddy – with her “PIGGY” – which went everywhere she went. Just outside Sherry’ s parents home.
She now is 18 and about to graduate and start a brand new journey at The University of Lynchburg, Va. And signed a letter of intent to play soccer.
Maddy sitting next to her sister Ella at Raquet Lake N.Y.
She has grown into a beautiful young lady – who maintains a 4.10 GPA. Playing soccer at a high level.
Here she is with her two other sisters and her twin cousins. With GIGI who sadly passed away last November – Sherry’s mother.
Through the years – when she was almost as small as the soccer ball – she played – co-ed and then onto two travel teams. One in Winchester Va. and then – to better herself- she traveled 60 miles each way three times a week to practice with the Loudoun RED soccer team.
Forever young in my mind.
The years have swiftly marched by – all the games in and out of state have passed – memorable only in so many pictures taken. Now – she is about to take the final walk on stage – graduate and then go on.
Her drawing years ago of her ” PIGGY” as she called it – so innocent on a swing – memory of sweet youth.
The memory of the little girl – always smiling – always so small – everyone else was so much bigger until the growth spurt of the last few years. Today – she is almost as tall as her grandmother Sherry who is 5 ‘ 9″ !
She has grown into her role as starting midfielder the last four years.
Three sisters – the start of college – leaving the home – and two behind.
The years have gone by so fast – the other two will be left behind at home – but her presence will always be felt – her favorite “PIGGY” on top of the stuffed animals – her MANATEE blanket on the wall. The trampoline will only feel the bounce of the younger two. The sound of the soccer ball will be down to one – her memory will remain – but her journey begins.
Her determination – all conference – signed letter of intent- to play college soccer
Today I blog not a end or an old story – but the beginning of a new book – a new chapter and a new page about to open up – the little one has gone into memory – but the image still lingers in my mind – PACA – is what she called me – I think because she couldn’t quite say PAPA – but she made my World – and I look forward to the travel to watch once again. The memory shall always be with me – the little foot striking the big soccer ball -and then the smile and off she would go.
SMILE A SMILE FOR ME MY LITTLE MADDY
I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did writing it – my tribute to the little one – the soccer ball almost as big as she is.
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