From the Future: Dear First-Year Carissa...

Dear First-Year Carissa,

Here we are. You are fresh out of high school and I am about to graduate from your future college, Lehigh (do not fret, we get to stay another year for grad school. GO US!). Safe to say that things look different for me than they do for you, but that is what is beautiful about life: things CHANGE.

Challenge yourself. Classes will not be easy but your toughest semester will get you on the Dean's list. You'll be challenged with accepting a new member of your family. Trust me- accept that challenge because your mom's future husband will turn out to be your biggest supporter. Step out of that comfort zone of yours because that is when you blossom. Your energy and enthusiasm will be contagious, so challenge yourself to embrace this power. It will bring more joy to others than you can imagine.

Humble. Always remain humble. Remember that you do not need to come from an affluent family to be of value. Remember that you will strike out. Remember that you will fail tests. Remaining humble will keep you sane. This school will push you, I mean really push you, so remember that you can succeed, but you have to work hard at it!

Adversity. Here is a letter you wrote your senior year when coach told the team to write a letter to either adversity or pressure. Take it to heart because it will be one of the biggest lessons you'll learn while you're here.

Dear Adversity,
I know not too many people will choose to write to you, but to me you're of more value than pressure. Without you ever coming into my life, everything would be too easy and I would never feel the need to push myself. Your synonym is 'misfortune,' but to me you are 'opportunity.' You give me the opportunity to learn, strive to be better, and to grow as a person. Sure, there were many a time when you would grace me with your presence and I wanted to quit and I wanted to blame others, but when you leave I reminisce on how I have changed for the better because of you. I won't say I ever miss you because I don't, but I sure as hell value you and who I am becoming because of what it is you drive me to do.
Until next time,
Zito

Nostalgia. Writing this is making me wish I had enjoyed the process more. Do not for a second take for granted the seemingly insignificant moments. They tell you all the time that it goes by fast, but you will not realize that it is the truth until you are weeks from graduation. You'll miss Chipotle Thursday/Friday with your teammates. You'll miss the long bus rides down to Boston to only get rained out and come right back. You'll miss every moment spent living with your best friends and having family dinners. You'll look back at pictures and wish that everyone you love were still living down the street from you. Take advantage of the now and live in the moment before it is too late.

Genuine. Never stray from this. Be forever genuine to who you are. A lot of the time people mistake you for being someone you are not, but the people that take the time to know you and truly understand you will become life long friends. Your best friends will forever be by your side because of the Z they know, not the girl you occasionally pretend to be. So be genuine to yourself because that's when things go right for you.

Extra. Go the extra mile, Z. Join Student Athletes Leading Social Change. It is because of SALSC that you get the chance to go to New Orleans and learn lifelong lessons (? wink, wink). Even though you are a shortstop, coach will need you to step up and play a position that you have never played before. Becoming a catcher and doing extra work to learn this position will allow you to rekindle your love for the game. Do a little extra to become friends with girls on your team that you would typically shy away from. Different perspectives help you to become a better leader and human. The extra mile goes a long way. If you help people with school work, they will help you to pass your hardest courses, if you bring someone a coffee without them asking, they'll be sure to buy you a meal when you are running low on meal swipes, if you give a little extra, you'll receive a little extra.

Listen here little one, you are doing HUGE things here. You stepped outside of our family's customs. You are the first in our family to go to college, the first to graduate college, and now the first to go to grad school! You have exceeded your family's expectations and you have so much left to accomplish. I am a different person than you are now, and I am more than okay with that. Accept every opportunity to improve you. Soon enough you will tattoo your skin with the saying, "Change is the only constant in life ?" and that will empower you to keep pushing forward. The hardships you endure will present opportunities, so take one pitch at a time and you'll be sure to hit it out of the park.

I love you,
The Zito

Lehigh University Athletics

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