It's never easy, but sometimes it has to be done. For whatever reason, you had to walk away from something you loved. Maybe you started playing when you were young, or you fell in love with the game after seeing it live or on TV.

You practiced hour after hour, you learned every basic skill and technique. You readied yourself for each game day and you always had your teammates' backs. You allowed yourself to improve, to grow and to change. You let yourself see what your body could do when it worked hard continuously. Be proud of that: those accomplishments are something to celebrate.

Even though you left the game, you know in your heart that the game will never be gone from you. You still cheer on your team, your fellow players, and you still talk about it every chance you get. It's a part of you, and it always will be.

It's tough when you realize that the time you've spent with the sport you loved has come to end. It can be hard to remember those final days on the field, court or gymnasium floor. But know that you gave everything you could possibly give, and that was more than good enough.

You learned how to be a teammate, a leader. You learned how to work hard and how to have a spirit inside of you. You learned more about determination, desire and work ethic than you could have ever have without it. You learned just how much it means to be an athlete. You'll always keep those traits, no matter how long you're out of the game. Know that they will propel you far in life.

It hurt, and you'll always miss it. But you don't have to lose it completely. You can still hold onto those memories.