It's A Gymnastics Thing

I was invited to attend a gymnastics meeting for parents of students who the coach sees potential in to (possibly) invite to join the competitive team.  Karly may receive the official ask soon to join Sparks. The meeting was tough, though.  The coach really wanted to make sure we parents were aware of the financial responsibilities (which are substantial) but also, MOSTLY the amount of work, physical conditioning and emotional stability/determination it will take for our kids to be competitive athletes in this sport.  She said, "I know some of you have large families and this is a lot to ask of you for a commitment when you also have other children to consider"....and she looked in my general direction :)

I like the way she separates the parents from the kids when she is discussing these matters.  She really wants the parents to be totally informed on everything first, but, then she wants the girls to know that they are the ones making the decision to be committed as well, so she approaches them separately to invite them to the team and talks with them about her expectations for them.

She told us some tough stories of how hard some of the girls had worked and that they had not received a medal in competitions.  The coach actually got choked up as she was telling us about how proud she is of her students and that it is just so hard to see them work as hard as they do and sometimes not see results from their hard work. 

We are at that point of decision where it's like "Okay, Karly, you like to do this....it's fun and you have talent, but do you LOVE this so much that you are willing put tons of effort into being the best you can be in this sport and stretching yourself...(tough question for a 7 year-old)....but, Karly is all "gung ho" about it.  She started gymnastics at 4 years-old and is still loving it.  She got to participate in an eight-week trial earlier this year to see if she could handle the conditioning and loved  that as well.

That is so true!  There are so many interesting adventures to take while raising kids, right?!  I am sure Brad would agree that we can always use prayer that we are making the best decisions for and with all our kids and keeping Christ in the center of our family life.  Whenever there is an opportunity like this, it allows us to assess our priorities and remind ourselves and the girls of the most important things.  We had a family meeting tonight and it was like that analogy where you dump all the rocks out and you put the big ones back in first....priorities.....it was a good meeting.  And, we all agreed that if Karly gets asked to join the team, she should go for it! 

I am proud of Karly's accomplishments so far and excited for her potential...but, I am more pleased that I have this family....with a group of sisters who love and support one another....I know I should never take that for granted.