Sitting in the desk chair as time marches swiftly on -- I wonder -- what is happening? How is it possible that JO Nationals is already in the middle of competition? How is it possible that Level 9 Westerns is a memory and VISA Championships are barrelling down upon us.
Level 9 Westerns, the memory: I can go back 8 years and put myself right back in the stadium as I watched my daughter win the all-around, and I want to put my arms around Stephanie Keelen - mom to Cassidy. I know how she feels - REALLY know how she feels. The pride, the exhaustion, the release of tension and worry and most of all, the overwhelming joy for your child, knowing at least one small dream has come true for them - and hoping they can hold on to that feeling, as the rest of their life dreams come into view.
Christina Navarro, the Level 9 Senior D Floor Champion also pulls hard on my heartstrings. Christina has been the picture of perseverence. I don't think many lay-people believed in her determination or ability to hang on until she achieved success - but she did (and we did) and Christina had the highlight of her career and the experience we have all so fervently wished for her. Christina conquered California - I think she can conquer the world.
This weekend Lloimincia Hall is competing in her last meet as a Texas Dreams athlete, and her last JO experience is almost over. She is heading to Louisiana State University in June, and will be one of our summer visitors, soon. I have to swallow hard and choke down the tears as one more beautiful, sweet, confident, awesome young woman flis away from our nest and sets off on her own adventures. I can't come up with enough positive adjectives to describe this girl/woman, or explain how much she will be missed, or how it won't be the same without Lloyd and Stephanie (her parents) around the gym. But, our other athletes flew away too - and they come back -- some to stay (Tiffany Tolnay), and some to visit - like Brittany Magee who dropped in for a quick chat and hug yesterday. We love each and every one of them -- like they are the only one - each one is our 'favorite'.
Several other athletes competed for Texas Dreams both at Westerns and Nationals. Each one is a champion - to have made it to that level within the state of Texas is no small feat. Congratulations to Gina, Madison, and Cole - all Level 10's; and Grace, Rebecca, and Jade, Level 9's. I hope they take the good things from this level of competition and store it in their soul and learn from the things that didn't go so well.
Level 9 Westerns, the memory: I can go back 8 years and put myself right back in the stadium as I watched my daughter win the all-around, and I want to put my arms around Stephanie Keelen - mom to Cassidy. I know how she feels - REALLY know how she feels. The pride, the exhaustion, the release of tension and worry and most of all, the overwhelming joy for your child, knowing at least one small dream has come true for them - and hoping they can hold on to that feeling, as the rest of their life dreams come into view.
Christina Navarro, the Level 9 Senior D Floor Champion also pulls hard on my heartstrings. Christina has been the picture of perseverence. I don't think many lay-people believed in her determination or ability to hang on until she achieved success - but she did (and we did) and Christina had the highlight of her career and the experience we have all so fervently wished for her. Christina conquered California - I think she can conquer the world.
This weekend Lloimincia Hall is competing in her last meet as a Texas Dreams athlete, and her last JO experience is almost over. She is heading to Louisiana State University in June, and will be one of our summer visitors, soon. I have to swallow hard and choke down the tears as one more beautiful, sweet, confident, awesome young woman flis away from our nest and sets off on her own adventures. I can't come up with enough positive adjectives to describe this girl/woman, or explain how much she will be missed, or how it won't be the same without Lloyd and Stephanie (her parents) around the gym. But, our other athletes flew away too - and they come back -- some to stay (Tiffany Tolnay), and some to visit - like Brittany Magee who dropped in for a quick chat and hug yesterday. We love each and every one of them -- like they are the only one - each one is our 'favorite'.
Several other athletes competed for Texas Dreams both at Westerns and Nationals. Each one is a champion - to have made it to that level within the state of Texas is no small feat. Congratulations to Gina, Madison, and Cole - all Level 10's; and Grace, Rebecca, and Jade, Level 9's. I hope they take the good things from this level of competition and store it in their soul and learn from the things that didn't go so well.
