swim team : )
I can't really put into words what I'm thinking right now, there are so many new things going on in my life.
Tonight I swam in my last offical SWIM MEET, ever... that's so weird to me. It's as if right when so many doors are opening up, and new paths are being taken; there are just as amazing things coming to a close.
For all the mornings I slept in and did not make it to my morning swim team practices, the nights I dreaded having to go to a meet and hoped for thunder and rain, the races I swam just to get through, and little moments I didn't take more of an opportunity to appreciate what a gift it all really is. . . none of that matters anymore, everything has found it's way back to good, back to something real and incredible in my life.
Growing up I know I took swim team for granted in some ways, it's like school... it's just always there, right? And then as you get older you see the symbolic notion of everything, and especially if you're me: it's all really sentimental.
Looking back on the 12 years I've swam on a swim team, I'm amazed it's been 12 years...
I'm not exactly sure if that's b/c I can't remember not having swim team b/c I've always felt like I've done it, or if it feels too short and I wish there was more.
From just learning to do breast stroke on cold week day mornings at the Kelly Cofer Pool in Tucker with my frist swim team. I can still remember hanging out with Leslie (a brief image of what she looked like is still in my head: tall, thin, blonde, beautiful, and sitting in the lifeguard room you walk in to get to the pool....) and the cool lifeguards that were our coaches, and as cheesy and typical that it is of 6-7 year old girls, they were my heroes. It's funny thinking how cool they seemed being able to be 'lifeguards', swing their whistles, wear their pro suits, and hand out ice cream during adult swim.... that's me now.
The first time I ever swam up in a meet for 50 free with the big kids... 13-14 girls... and thinking I must be really good to get to swim with the big kids, but "I AM SO TIRED I WON'T LIVE TO ENJOY IT." lol
When we first joined Nottaway it wasn't until the first meet when I was 9 then that I felt like I'd found the right place. My first friend there was Corinne and over the years she became my best friend.... walking to swim team practice my freshman year and staying after to work out, then swimming my heart out in every race.... it was the most unexpected and one of the greatest surprises to recieve the Coach's Award that year.
I always looked up to the lifeguards and the older swimmers, I guess every kid at the pool does, but they all were so special to me.... I'd be sad when they got too old to be on swim team or lifeguard anymore, I missed them...
Tonight, stepping on the blocks, being THE BIG KIDS... swimming my last relays, IM, 50 Free, 50 fly.... taking my last starts, turns, sprints, and finishes.... I kid you not I'm crying right now.. lol Swimming has always been so special to me, and this summer more than ever that part of my soul that is passionate for it has come alive.... God was so close to me tonight, every stroke, breath, movement.... I felt my whole heart and body smiling and rushing with adrenaline....
My mom surprised me with balloons and flowers and now having everything on tape too is so nice : )
My last lap with the Seniors, dolphin under water kick... then dolphin dives... I soared through the water... years of learning, practicing, sharing, and love.... all of it moved together..... right before I touched the wall I took a second to do a hand stand and just free fall into the finish.... coming up to take my first breath from under the water... in that 5 seconds it takes to process you're above the water again... it was like God took that time and put it in my heart to remember... no matter how old I get, how many places I go to, or where I am right now.... the gifts and experiences he's shared and brought into my life (your life) are meant to be treasured and lived in every way to the absolute best...
When I heard people upset about their times or their races I just wanted to take them into my arms and tell them none of that matters... and I did lol.... it's so easy to get caught up in the competition, trust me: I AM competitive... but you remember so much more the laughs you had with your friends behind the blocks, the goofy good luck rituals you have before your race, the sharpie scribble fights, and the first time you beat your record personally and had a good race, even if you didn't always get first place....
I offer you only what I know, life is short, but sweet for certain.
Tonight I swam in my last offical SWIM MEET, ever... that's so weird to me. It's as if right when so many doors are opening up, and new paths are being taken; there are just as amazing things coming to a close.
For all the mornings I slept in and did not make it to my morning swim team practices, the nights I dreaded having to go to a meet and hoped for thunder and rain, the races I swam just to get through, and little moments I didn't take more of an opportunity to appreciate what a gift it all really is. . . none of that matters anymore, everything has found it's way back to good, back to something real and incredible in my life.
Growing up I know I took swim team for granted in some ways, it's like school... it's just always there, right? And then as you get older you see the symbolic notion of everything, and especially if you're me: it's all really sentimental.
Looking back on the 12 years I've swam on a swim team, I'm amazed it's been 12 years...
I'm not exactly sure if that's b/c I can't remember not having swim team b/c I've always felt like I've done it, or if it feels too short and I wish there was more.
From just learning to do breast stroke on cold week day mornings at the Kelly Cofer Pool in Tucker with my frist swim team. I can still remember hanging out with Leslie (a brief image of what she looked like is still in my head: tall, thin, blonde, beautiful, and sitting in the lifeguard room you walk in to get to the pool....) and the cool lifeguards that were our coaches, and as cheesy and typical that it is of 6-7 year old girls, they were my heroes. It's funny thinking how cool they seemed being able to be 'lifeguards', swing their whistles, wear their pro suits, and hand out ice cream during adult swim.... that's me now.
The first time I ever swam up in a meet for 50 free with the big kids... 13-14 girls... and thinking I must be really good to get to swim with the big kids, but "I AM SO TIRED I WON'T LIVE TO ENJOY IT." lol
When we first joined Nottaway it wasn't until the first meet when I was 9 then that I felt like I'd found the right place. My first friend there was Corinne and over the years she became my best friend.... walking to swim team practice my freshman year and staying after to work out, then swimming my heart out in every race.... it was the most unexpected and one of the greatest surprises to recieve the Coach's Award that year.
I always looked up to the lifeguards and the older swimmers, I guess every kid at the pool does, but they all were so special to me.... I'd be sad when they got too old to be on swim team or lifeguard anymore, I missed them...
Tonight, stepping on the blocks, being THE BIG KIDS... swimming my last relays, IM, 50 Free, 50 fly.... taking my last starts, turns, sprints, and finishes.... I kid you not I'm crying right now.. lol Swimming has always been so special to me, and this summer more than ever that part of my soul that is passionate for it has come alive.... God was so close to me tonight, every stroke, breath, movement.... I felt my whole heart and body smiling and rushing with adrenaline....
My mom surprised me with balloons and flowers and now having everything on tape too is so nice : )
My last lap with the Seniors, dolphin under water kick... then dolphin dives... I soared through the water... years of learning, practicing, sharing, and love.... all of it moved together..... right before I touched the wall I took a second to do a hand stand and just free fall into the finish.... coming up to take my first breath from under the water... in that 5 seconds it takes to process you're above the water again... it was like God took that time and put it in my heart to remember... no matter how old I get, how many places I go to, or where I am right now.... the gifts and experiences he's shared and brought into my life (your life) are meant to be treasured and lived in every way to the absolute best...
When I heard people upset about their times or their races I just wanted to take them into my arms and tell them none of that matters... and I did lol.... it's so easy to get caught up in the competition, trust me: I AM competitive... but you remember so much more the laughs you had with your friends behind the blocks, the goofy good luck rituals you have before your race, the sharpie scribble fights, and the first time you beat your record personally and had a good race, even if you didn't always get first place....
I offer you only what I know, life is short, but sweet for certain.