A reminder to cherish the small moments

The Richmond community suffered the tragic loss of a high school student-athlete this weekend.

It’s something that is unbearable to think about, a tragedy that leaves many people asking questions and an event that shakes even the strongest community to its core.

During my junior and senior years of high school, my graduating class lost two students in separate events. To some extent, I can sympathize, but the loss of a rising junior basketball player at Richmond hits a whole different way now that I’m an adult and an educator.

The loss of a life, especially a young one, is always devastating. There are no words that I could write in this column that could take away the pain or ease the suffering. And I’m not trying to.

I first heard about Jalen David four years ago when he was a seventh-grade student of my wife’s at Rockingham Middle School. She spoke so highly of him, even as a middle schooler, and said he was one of the most well-mannered students she’d ever taught.

The Richmond Observer wasn’t covering sports then, but I remember watching Jalen play basketball for the Rockets.

We didn’t meet until two years later, when he came through Richmond County Ninth Grade Academy, where I was teaching. I didn’t have him in class, but I knew he was a baller. 

By then, ROSports was in its second year, so like I do with all student-athletes, I made it a point to get to know him. And over the last two years, I’ve written about him and his teammates’ success with the Richmond junior varsity and varsity programs.

And I was certainly looking forward to watching him help run the point over the next two seasons.

One of my favorite parts of covering high school athletics is when the game or match is over. Win or lose, there are always a couple of things that are guaranteed to happen.

There is the ritual of shaking hands with the other team, meetings between coaches and players to discuss the outcome and players helping pack up game materials. For me, it’s player and coach interviews that take priority.

But once everything settles down and the gym or field begins to clear out, it’s what happens next that I think we often take for granted. It’s the time spent with family members, parents, friends and teammates.

Oftentimes, smiles are aglow and pictures are taken. Congratulations are exchanged. A comforting arm around a player’s shoulder may be seen following a tough loss. Whatever the outcome, this time is special for all involved, even if we don’t stop to recognize it.

I get to experience these moments from afar, most of the time as I’m walking off the field or out of the gym. It takes me back to my youth and playing sports, and how even I didn’t realize the importance of it all.

As Richmond County, Richmond Senior High School and the Richmond basketball program begin the healing process of losing one of its own, I want to remind everyone of how strong our community is.

Let’s remember to cherish the small moments in between the game-winning shots and come-from-behind wins. Let us keep our memories close, but our families and friends closer.

This year has been tough on everyone, there’s no mistaking that. And it just got even tougher for our small, tight-knit community. But like I’ve said time and again — we can do this, Richmond County. 

Through good and bad, there’s no other place I’d want to grow and heal in. Richmond County is now the place I call home, and I’ve seen how Raider Magic can make things better, even on the stormiest days. 

The good news is that there’s always sunshine after the rain, and it’s our job to make the most of it.