In the past couple of months, Jessica McDonald has been rocked by two separateis-this-really-happening-right-nowmoments.
A phone call interrupted the appointment.
Jill Ellis, head coach of theU.S.
Michael Regan - FIFA
Womens Soccer National Team, who wasted no time in delivering the life-changing news.
Youre going to the World Cup, she announced, triggering McDonald to burstimmediately and uncontrollablyinto tears.
Ellis continued to speak, but McDonald admits she only heard bits and pieces as she proceeded to weep.
I was busy crying, she tells SELF.
It was one of those ugly cries, you know, crying out loud.
But after that fateful phone call, I was overwhelmed with so much joy, she says.
And so she hugged her doctor, FaceTimed her family, and continued to sob.
All told, I dont think Ive ever cried that much in my entire life, she says.
To say this first pinch-me moment was hard-fought and long in the making would be a big understatement.
Hence the unrelenting waterworks.
Excuse me, what did you just say?
As soon as reality was confirmedYeah, youre gonna go in at halfthe nerves hit hard.
I got the butterflies immediately, she says.
She stepped in bounds, and the rest came easy.
I gave it everything I had in that moment, says McDonald.
Unfortunately, the ball bounced off the goalpost.
Ive been tested on multiple occasions just as a human being.
The near-constant relocating has been difficult on several levels, especially when it comes to childcare.
On top of that, daycare alone is pretty much a full paycheck, she adds.
And even that’s reportedly higher than previous years.)
For many years, that just wasn’t possible, she adds.
That’s until she finally made the World Cup roster this spring.
(Participating in the global tournamentbrings players additional income.)
I was just likeWow, finally I have a break.
As stressful as motherhood can be, McDonald says Jeremiah plays a big role in keeping her grounded.
He balances my life out in such a good way.
He also motivates her to keep pushing toward her goals.
When you become a parent obviously it changes your life in so many ways, she explains.
In recent years, things have turned a corner for McDonald and her son.
Im so anxious [for him to arrive], she says.
Itll hit him one day, she says, and perhaps hell have a waterworks moment of his own.
Thats what pushes me every day to want to be successful on the soccer field.
