Build Us Up
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We are a sport family. My husband and I enjoy sports, and so do our girls. It's something I did from as long as I can remember. I really did love to compete.
However, when I was finishing up my high school career, I thought I would never want to see a sport again. I just wanted a break, I was burnt out. So after graduation I was in heaven. It was great! No practices, no games. nothing. I could do whatever I wanted when I wanted with no extra obligations to prevent me from doing so. As time went by and the newness of "freedom" wore off, I missed it. The thrill of competition is something I began to long for again.
My husband and I participated in some co-ed leagues like softball and volleyball, and it was a lot of fun. By then we began to have children and extra activities like that seemed to take a back burner. I remember telling my husband, that even though I loved sports so much, I didn't want to force anything on my girls, I wanted them to choose it because they wanted to, not just because they knew I wanted them too.
Lucky for us, we spit out a couple of girls who love to play. I'm not sure if any basket, goal, or point I ever made felt as good as it does to watch my own do what the enjoy with pride, perseverance, and tenacity. To say I am proud would be an understatement, but I have always tried my hardest to remain humble, unbiased, and modest in front of them to try to prevent a "big-head", entitlement, and bad sportsmanship.
But lately I have realized something, watching my girls go through wins, losses, changes, disappointments, sometimes we need to shout it from the rooftop, "I"M PROUD OF YOU! YOU ARE AWESOME, YOU ARE BRAVE! YOU TRULY ARE ENOUGH!"
Some might disagree, some might say, "Not everyone deserves a trophy." I get it. I really do. But not everyone was made to be collegiate athletes. Some just like to play the game. The older I get, the more I realize everyone has something to offer. It might not be much, but it's something and I want to choose more and more to focus on that.
Growing up in a competitive family, I learned early on to show you're the best, but don't talk about being the best. I have always kept that close to my heart. So I always tried to show up and give everything I had to give. The problem was I needed reassurance. Reassurance that my everything was enough, even if it wasn't. That my dedication was enough, even if it fell short. That my want to was enough, even if I chose to want something different.
I needed to be told that the best was me just being me. Cliche' enough for you? The truth is simple sometimes, but so hard to accept.
The generations before might not agree, but I'm okay with that. Generations have been changing the narrative since the beginning and I want to be a part of changing mine.
I want my girls to know that yes, there will be times when it will be hard, it will be disappointing, and it will be unfair, but there will also be times when it will also be glorious, wonderful, satisfying, and oh so memorable. And that we should take the good, the bad, and the ugly and learn from it all. But they can rest assured that all along the way, I will be there shouting from the rooftops as their #1 fan, "I'M PROUD OF YOU!"
Tori
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