What I Learned This Week…
What a weekend! Full of learning…
I learned that when your little boy has been practicing 3-4 nights a week for 3 months straight, the culminating swim meet is a BIGDEAL.
I learned that it is not possible to write the word breast on your 9 year-old’s arm without giggling to yourself.
I learned that when watching your son swim in his first race of the weekend, it doesn’t matter whether he is coming in first (he wasn’t) or last (he wasn’t!). You will be so busy admiring his newly-learned technique and determination that you won’t even know who won until the very end.
I learned that when you realize that he didn’t know who won the race until the very end either, you will be super-impressed by the fact that he doesn’t expect to win every race. He is happy to swim and use all of his new skills that he has been practicing.
I learned that 9 year-olds don’t know how to react when an overzealous 10 year-old teammate hugs him to congratulate him on a good swim. :-)
I learned that this picture brings tears to my eyes. Michael dove into the water with his goggles on. They fell off his face and while trying to quickly pull them out of his mouth, he “messed-up” (my technical term) his coveted butterfly stroke. The stroke he has been working on so hard every practice. The stroke he couldn’t wait to swim at the meet.
And when he finished swimming in that race – the one that he won – I learned what that feeling was like. Some of you might know that feeling. The feeling that I got when we watched him finish the race and touch the wall and look up – to the judge- who came over to talk to him. Judges do that when they disqualify a swimmer (for “messing-up” the stroke). So, that feeling, the one where your heart drops into your stomach and your eyes well up with tears because you can’t fix it? I learned what that feeling is. It’s the worst feeling.
I learned that after a race like that, you hustle over to get your son fitted with some brand-spankin’ new don’tfalloffmyface goggles. The shiny mirrored ones. Because that’s what he wants.
I learned that the best feeling in the world is watching your child love something. Excel at something. TRY (really try!) at something.
I learned that I am a proud, proud Mom.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:19 am
How funny that YOUR Mom learns from your “What I learned this week” I learned that I would have never thought my “Daughter” would ever feel the way she does. I learned that I am so proud of the person she has become and the person she is yet to be. I also knew my grandson was the best. I didn’t just learn that……just ask everyone I know…..they are sick of me bragging, I am sure……but they have learned that I will never be any prouder of my family than I am right now…So, Michael, win or lose, just do your best, because you are always a winner in my eyes.
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October 20th, 2009 at 8:21 am
That picture brought tears to my eyes too…But such determination!! Way to go Michael Man! <3
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October 20th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Great job Michael, we’re all very proud of how hard you worked. Next time, we’ll glue those goggles on!!
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October 20th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Definitely a proud Mummy moment – congrats!
Janmary, N Ireland´s last blog ..Lessons learned and creativity shared
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October 20th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
That is such a great feeling to watch your child enjoy, love and excel at something. And yeah for Mom – I’ve got a great big smile on my face just thinking of you two.
jen@ourdailybigtop´s last blog ..what I learned this week…
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October 21st, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Way to go Michael! {And mom!}
Darcie – Such The Spot´s last blog ..Cruise News You Can Use.
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October 21st, 2009 at 6:23 pm
That feeling you had was the same one I had watching my niece at the 2008 Olympic Trials miss making the Olympic team by .7 of a second. Absolutely heart breaking. She is a freshman and swimming for U C Berkeley now. Next time she is in town, I should introduce Michael to her! Her goal is to be swimming in the 2012 Olympics in London! She mostly swims the IMs and breast stroke.
What team does Michael swim for? Keep up the good work Michael.
I love reading your blog!!
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October 23rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Swimming is such a hard sport, so much dedication comes into it. I can only imagine the feelings of that day.
Congrats!!!
Kellyn´s last blog ..Where were You 20 years ago Today
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October 27th, 2009 at 6:02 am
So Soren started swimming lesson at 18 months….think he’ll be on his way? He really struggles with getting his face under the water to blow bubbles though. He mainly spits on top of the water. Think that will be a hinderance to an awesome butterfly some day?
Love the blog Becca!
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January 26th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
[...] Michael is quite the swimmer. Tell me what stroke broke my heart last year during his swim [...]