We are a swim team family! My three oldest kids all race and we are dedicated parents. We all LOVE it! We have always been supportive parents; Encouraging our kids to work hard and do their best while being a good sport! But it isn’t always easy to lose and can be pretty discouraging. At the same time it is exciting when you win. It’s all a part of the game! But what’s more important is seeing yourself as more than just a ribbon!
My youngest daughter taught me a valuable lesson last week at one of our meets. We happened to be racing our team rival! It was the Sharks against the Heat! And, it just so happens that my daughter who is 6 years old has won every stroke she has raced since we started the swim season. I have been proud of her accomplishments and what she has worked hard to do. But on the last race of the meet, Clara surprised me! She was racing backstroke. It was a close race but she pulled ahead and won. What happened after is what Clara told me herself.
“I was so excited! They gave me my ribbon when I got out of the pool, but the girl who came in second was crying because she thought she had won. She walked with her grandma to the other end of the pool. I didn’t need my ribbon. She was so sad and thought she had won. I went over to her and told her it was okay. She could have my ribbon. Her grandma told me it was alright, but I kept telling her it was okay, I wanted her to have it. Mom I did it all on my own. It made her happy.”
Clara’s bright example taught me to put others before myself. It reminded me that a trophy or ribbon doesn’t make you a winner. It is more important to be the best you! In my eyes, she is a true winner!
Tasha
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