Randolph College – the University of Lynchburg – one a sophomore – the other a senior.
Both colleges are in Lynchburg, Va. Ella is a sophomore, Randolph – and Maddy is a senior.- Lynchburg.
Both start on their teams – Maddy a wing and Ella midfielder.
Sad this most likely will be the last game they play against each other – but as a family – MEMORIES!
Captains meeting midfield – Ella middle on left in white – Maddy on the right – middle in black.
Shaking hands
And then THE HANDSHAKE AMONG SISTERS! MEMORY!
And then the procession out onto the pitch – Number 10 white – Ella and number 13 black – Maddy.
For us as grandparents and as mother and father – there is no winner and no loser !
For the granddaughters – bittersweet as for the second time – Maddy’s team has won.
Ella never came out of the game – and she has now started and played every game as a freshman
and now as a sophomore – the only freshman to accomplish that.
She will be a very good player when it is all said and done.
Maddy is ending her career for a third straight year as a starter.
Lynchburg has gone to the NCAA tournament for 16 straight and won a national title in 2016.
Wearing the same numbers all the way through – youth – travel and HS teams.
Since they both could walk with their father working with them on ball handling and passing – shooting and footwork – they both take the corner kicks for their teams.
Today Ella has grown so tall – almost 5’10”
Maddy will graduate in Engineering Science with now a 3.85 GPA!
No one lost here – proud parents Debby and Mike – the tradition of the family – love of soccer and life.
Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD and WHEN SISTERS MEET ON THE SOCCER PITCH!
One is the oldest granddaughter while the second is the youngest granddaughter with her twin sister.
One is in her third year at University of Lynchburg – Enviromental Engineering major.
One is in the fifth grade – so caring she calls or zooms her grandmother almost every day.
One starts at the attack front position for the ranked lady soccer hornets soccer team.
And had played in 13 games as a freshmen – started her Sophomore year and again as a junior.
One moved to sit beside her older cousin at the soccer game.
Both are dear to our hearts!
Cassidy with MARLEY – the newest addition to her family!
Always smiling – always caring – always protective of her brother – just who she is. Cassidy
Maddy – a junior at the University of Lynchburg – Environmental Engineering – playing soccer and carrying above a 3.80 GPA! Next to Papa in the picture.
Number 13 – left front attacker – crossing a dribble with her left foot to get around a defender. On a top 25 team in the Division III national polls.
Granddaughters – oldest to youngest – youngest admires the oldest – both exceptional to us –
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MY SITE: PAPAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog MY EMAIL: fitztdf@aol.com
We all met in Lynchburg to watch the grandaughters play soccer – the next day we went for a hike. This park was real close to where we stayed in the Airbnb.
There were many hiking trails off of the park paved path.
I did not have the shoes to hike in so we stayed on the path.
The trail is not long but requires some climbing up and down steep inclines.
It goes through the dense woods and above the James River and looks like it has access to the river.
While this was closed for the season – a locomotive and caboose – as the rails run all through this area for transportation along with the river in it’s early years of forming Lynchburg Va. There also are FOUR colleges here –
Liberty University – Sweet Briar College – Randolph College and the University of Lynchburg.
Sarah checking out the warning sign as some of the area is fenced off near steep inclines.
The incline here is close to a couple hundred feet almost straight down.
The trail does make its way down with a narrow zig zag path.
Not for anyone who has a fear of heights like me!
Debby Papa Sarah
Sherry climbed the steps up to a beginning of a trail and said it led to a very dark dense forest!
This platform was some 25 feet above us!
A view of the train trestle across the James river.
It was a nice way to spend a few hours in the afternoon.
Later we picked up Ella so she could spend the night with us –
Maddy had practice and a lot of school work to do.
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It all started many years ago – youth travel teams – Maddy two years older –
They played together until Maddy left the travel team in Winchester –
to compete in the Ludoun soccer program 65 miles away!
She made this choice on her own as soon as she could drive.
It was soccer hot bed right outside Washington DC.
Ella remained as she was too young to travel that far.
She also suffered a broken bone in each foot different years that had her not playing.
Maddy secured a spot in the try outs and maintained a above 4.0 GPA all through HS.
Maddy selected University of Lynchburg to continue her soccer playing.
Today they are ranked nationally in the top 25 in Division III and at this date – 11 – 1.
Ella number 10 – was recruited by two colleges and selected Randolph College
She now plays for the Wildcats which are situated across town in Lynchburg Va.
Ten minutes from Maddy and the campus of the University of Lynchburg.
As a Freshman – she has started every game and played all the minutes except two per game!
Maddy number 13 – played 13 games as a Freshman and has started as a Sophomore and a Junior.
Here – Ella is about to get the ball and Maddy number 13 is guarding her.
In all these years this game is the first time they have ever competed against one another.
Here they are in the middle at the top – it was a very good game – tough – no one scored in the first half.
Each half is 45 minutes – and ended up 0 to 0 at the half.
Ella – number 10 – tallest in the starting line up – the difference was the bench – Lynchburg kept throwing fresh players into the game.
Because of the Pandemic and covid –
the coach could not travel to recruit – Ella was recruited before the pandemic!
She plays midfield defense – the coach wants her to shoot – five times a game instead of always passing.
She is young and it will come – she plays so effortlessly.
As soon as he can he puts her back in after she rests for two minutes.
So proud of Maddy number 13 who drove herslf 65 miles each way to practice – so she would get noticed – and now plays on a team that is ranked in the top 25 in the nation at Division III.
She is fast – quick and plays attacker both left and right and midfielder in the front.
You can just tell she has the skills – the coach tells the team –
with Maddy do the 1 – 2 – do not worry – she is fast enough she can break for the goal – just get her the ball – this is where she passes back to the middle and breaks for the front!
SISTERS – Ella – number 10 Maddy – number 13
Proud parents – Mike and Debby
Ella made the shirts representing both schools and their mascots and colors – she is such a artist!
Ella and Maddy – Randolph and Lynchburg – sisters going head to head.
Lynchburg gutted out a 2 to 0 win –
scoring both goals late in the second half –
they just had a stronger bench.
Sarah – sister – freshmen in H.S.
Sarah – will turn 15 later this month – she could of played soccer – but had no interest and will run track.
She already is just above six and one half minute miler.
She played soccer when younger and also was fast and good.
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!
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY – FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
A few short years ago – Maddy ( finished Sophomore college) Ella – (enter college in fall) all grown up now!
Maddy has been named to third team in her conference playing soccer – as a Sophomore she was in the top five on her team in four different categories –
Ella – is playing her last soccer for her senior year – undefeated – and aiming for states. She is one of five or six off her team to have signed letters of intent to play in college – she will be attending Randolph College and in the same conference as Maddy.
Ella – Papa – Maddy – it seems like just yesterday – we were the support team for their mother and father and uncle and Tammy and Sherry running the ten mile Cherry Blossom Race in Washington D.C. – where we stationed ourselves to welcome them all across the finish line! Here we are in our front yard before we left for D.C. They were troopers – following me around – standing up on a bench so they could watch the race! Carrying clothes – back packs – water bottles – everything needed for the finish line that day in May.
As the years passed – Sarah came along – the baby little sister – always making the older two laugh.
She has a way about her – always the forefront of fashion.
Wants her grandma to take her to N.Y.C. to see Broadway and shows!
Sarah – Maddy – Ella and Papa – Christmas eve waiting to go to bed – and wake up for Christmas morning!
I miss those special times – all three sitting at the top of the stairs – waiting for their parents to get up – smiling – laughing – such great kids and polite.
Today – we are scattered – us being in S.C. Maddy – coming home from Lynchburg Va.
Ella completing her senior year of H.S. and Sarah about to enter H.S.
Papa with Maddy at one of her early travel team games – she went on to driving herself 65 miles each way for practice three times a week to join a more elite travel team where we lived in Loudoun county , Va. catching the eye of college coaches – now playing at The University Of Lynchburg in Va.
Thinking back to the early years – the smallest one out there with a skill set – determination and quickness. I always thought she should of gone into track as she ran a 5:40 mile and did not train much!
Now – today all three are so tall – athletic – Maddy at 5 ‘ 6″ Ella at 5′ 8 1/2 ” and Sarah almost to 5’ 8″ ( 15 years old soon)
I miss those days of the three little ones – giggling – laughing – on the trampoline – hiking – soccer – dance – running –
being little girls – climbing up into my lap – singing songs as I picked them up!
Today – they are young ladies with their grandma – the little ones are gone but not forgotten – MEMORIES!
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FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
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PAPA’S WORLD – when they were little – now all grown up!
The start of the game – cold – 35 degrees – steady rain – SOCCER!
We traveled five hours NW to Va. to Lynchburg –
our grand daughters first home contest of the delayed season!
Maddy Myers – number 13 – waiting for the start of the game!
As a Freshmen – she played in 13 games – now a Sophomore –
the first game she had a assist and two near misses in a 2-0 victory!
Out family – father Mike – Mother Debby – sister Ella and grandma – Sherry – Ella will be attending Randolph College in the Fall to play soccer – right across town and will compete against her sister for two years!Hard to see but she is in the middle far side above the Y about to pass the ball!
She carries a HIGH GPA – and as a Sophomore – because of that GPA –
was able to have a room in the buildings right behind her!
She is a determined young lady – her last two years of travel –
she drove herself 65 miles each way so she could compete with the best in the
Metro D.C area in Loudoun County – a hot bed of recruiting for college soccer.
Steady rain – but we stayed watching her and the game.
The entire team waiting for the start of the game in the cold and rain!
Near the end of the game – a 4 to 1 victory and 2 – 0 on the young season!
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
Sherry – Certified Health Coach – business owner – The Juice Plus Company – her website – http://www.sf.juiceplus.com
MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD MY BLOG: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
They play sports – the two oldest – soccer – and one is in college playing
and the second – next fall will do the same.
The youngest is into dance – loves the arts – and wants to go to NYC!
When they were little – Sarah – Maddy – Ella with their father and mother.
All three love their Grandma – laughing with her and at her!
She loves to take them shopping – getting nails done and ear piercings! Here – Sherry – Sarah – 14 years old – Maddy – 20 years old – Ella – 17 years old – Sherry is 5′ 9″ tall – they all are tall!
We took Sarah and Ella for a week to the beach last summer –
We took Maddy to swim with the Manatee’s for her 16th. birthday
We took Ella to Disney Star wars for her 16th. birthday
And now when Sarah reaches 16 – she wants to go to NYC and Broadway!
I will sit that one out – her mother can take my place!
Maddy has made the leap to college – now in her Sophomore year
as a Freshman she played in 13 games at the University of Lynchburg – Va.
And has maintained a GPA – over a 3.85!
She just played this past weekend – having one assist –
one barely missed assist and one barely missed shot on goal.
They won 2 to 0!
Mike Debby Ella
Ella will finish her H.S. soccer this Spring –
She had two colleges to pick from and choose Randolpf College in Lynchburg Va.
Just across town from her sister and they will compete against one another!
Maddy Ella Sherry Sarah
Sarah is all about fashion – no interest in soccer at all!
Although when little – she played as well as her older sisters!
She loves to dance in competitions when younger and shows.
Her goal is one day to create fashions and design – produce movies – acting!
All three are like this – beautiful on the inside – smiling on the outside – living life to the good.
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WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY
FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!
ELLA MADDY SARAH
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First you gather the ingredients – then you gather the grand daughters and their mother!Mother ( Debby) Ella Sarah Sherry ( grand ma) Maddy
Memories are made each year during the holidays –
making Christmas cookies is one of them!
Sherry has done this for years – and they all love it!
They laugh and laugh at her and with her!
The results – or a small fraction of the results – all decorated by each of the grand daughters!
She teaches them her heritage and is passed down generation to generation.
Sherry is Swedish – her grand mother was born in Sweden.
She is 5 ‘ 9″ tall – and Ella is almost as tall – Sarah will be that also and Taylor at 10 years old
comes up to her chin!
The temptations are there – YUMMY!She is a educator – teaching them to be themselves – honor – compassion and self worth!
Respect is what they have for her.
Admiration – and laughing – both at her and with her.
Going shopping with Grandma!
MEMORIES for a lifetime!
Ella Sarah Sherry
We will come up once more and spend a couple days and Christmas eve.
Then we will go back to Tammy’s for Christmas day!
The little ones are so excited and she made cookies with them also!
To them she is not grand ma – but MORMOR – mother’s mother in Swedish!
After Christmas we will once again head back to S.C.
Knowing that Memories were once again made
and captured into this blog
for future reading – seeing !
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My little contribution to the cookie making!ELLA will be on a soccer team in college – and will play against her sister Maddy at the University of Lynchburg!
Unknown to us – this Castle would become a controversy at one of the debates!
When we were in Northern California with our friends –
we visited Napa Valley – and choose two wineries to visit-
This is the Castle we picked over google –
and it also is where a Democratic runner for the ticket
had a pay per plate for a chance to be with the canidate.
Little did we know that this place is very famous for such events!
In the famous WINE CAVE!
We traveled – we hosted friends – we lived life in 2019.
We visited the Capital building in Washington DC. In front of the statue of famous women of USA with a part unfinished saved for the first WOMAN PRESIDENT!
We live 30 some miles from Washington DC.
and have made trips into the city
but had never toured the Capital building.
Paul and Jo friends from Tucson With them we went to Congress!
We went to their Congress women’s office
and were taken on a tour of the Capital
and got to see Congress!
17 mile road to Pebble Beach
We got to see Pebble Beach – have a drink overlooking #18.
And a picture in front of one of the most famous pine trees!
The signature LONE PINE of Pebble Beach!
HS buddy and wife stopped in for a couple nights we go back 60 plus years!
Friends from the past – memories shared – catching up for 52 plus years.
Watching our oldest grand daughter play her first year in college of soccer at the University of LynchburgOur friends for 38 years celebrating the Bills win Jim and I go back 42 years playing softball together
Our life is full – friends – family -adventures –
crossing of the bucket list!
The team celebrating health and nutrition in Austin Texas Sherry back row middle http://www.sf.juiceplus.com
Our life continues – helping people eat right –
making a difference in the lives of all we can
and seeing how it has the effect it does on children!
Sharing life with friends for over 38 yearsHosted a Movie star ( over 150 films & Tv. ) and a World known acordian and piano player
We had no idea we would be doing this
but opportunity knocked and we answered
Got to sit and talk about their careers
IT WAS AWESOME!
FIVE grand daughters ONE grand son!
We are blessed to have the grand kids nearby.
And of course the one boy is loved- esp. Ella & him
He adores her and she him! Ella far left.
Where we started this blog At the Castle outside the “WINE CAVE”
I could go on and on – 2019 has been a great year-
Good Morning Two months ago she left in the middle of August to attend the University Of Lynchburg
We had not seen or talked to her in that time –
She was at University – early – for the women’s soccer team.
She had been training all Summer –
running – she had to run two miles in under 12 minutes !
Team bonding late Summer
The coach – Dr. Todd Olsen – is a motivator –
Team bonding – both mental and working together –
achieving a goal placed before them.
His teams have reached the NCAA Division Three playoffs
TWELVE STRAIGHT YEARS !
Winning the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in 2014.
Losing in the Quarter finals last year
Being involved building that trust in one another
I have watched from afar
His program is the real deal
” WE DO NOT REBUILD – WE RELOAD ” !
is what he says !
The Team bonding on the fieldBecoming one Maddy second from top left
Today they are in second place in their conference
out of fourteen teams
having won the conference last year
with a 23 – 3 – 1 record
Today they are 9 – 3- 1 having played a power early schedule
Playing the number two team in the country
to a 1 to 1 tie.
Not bad for having graduated TEN SENIORS from that team.
University of Lynchburg Va. HORNETS
Maddy as a freshman – does not start -very few do –
But she has played in 90 % of the games
They are stacked at Mid fielders –
So – he has moved her to defense
back line in front of the goalie !
Maddy protecting the goal
When she first started playing soccer
that is where they put her
because of her quickness and speed
Later – because of her ball skills and passing
they moved her to Midfielder.
Maddy defending
When you play this level in college
everyone is quick and fast !
With her time playing midfield she brings to that back line the ability to advance the ball and draw in the defenseMaddy bringing the ball up fieldDrawing the defense opens up the lane
I could see that she adjusted well –
She has the skill
She played a total of 25 minutes
He has 33 players on the team
With 11 being seniors !
Maddy is one of 10 Freshmen !
He subs in and out – keeping them fresh.
Maddy’s number 13 was passed down to her from a senior from last year who assists the team this year saying ” She wanted that number’s tradition passed down “
As a Freshmen – Maddy finished 5th. overall in the two mile
She finished first among the Freshmen.
Maddy bring the ball
She has handled the switch extremely well
She loves the team – the coaches and the school
A scavenger hunt designed for team building Each team had a color theme The coach does this team building once a week and twice a week in the off season Every FOUR years he takes the Team to Puerto Rico To do social work Helping others in need !Maddy – after the game with her three little cousins and Bode screamed the entire time she was playing “MADDY – MADDY “Sarah 13 sister Debby (mother) Maddy & Ella 17 sister
We brought her home to sleep in her own bed
after two months being in a dorm room
but more important –
for her Mother’s birthday
and spend time with her sisters & family.
Mike ( father ) Sarah and Bode Maddy and Sherry ( grandmother)
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livinglifedoingitmyway.blog
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Maddy
She is excelling – she is happy – she is now a “HORNET ” !
For University of Lynchburg , Va.
Women’s Soccer team.
SHERRY CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH for health and nutrition go to http://www.sf.juiceplus.com for business go to ssherrylynn49@aol.com TEAM BUILDING
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