“Change does not change tradition. It strengthens it. Change is a challenge and an opportunity; not a threat.” -- Prince Phillip of England
This week marks the second HUGE change in my life in as many months. In August I sent my “baby” off to college, leaving me a true empty nester – and this week I will return to Austin, Texas and leave a job I have loved and one that has loved me back. For the last six years, I have “worked” as the Team Coordinator for Texas Dreams Gymnastics, and I have never lacked for sweaty, chalky hugs, appreciative parents, and – in my case – all the great gymnastics I could possibly consume in a day.
I’ve never had the experience of leaving a job I truly liked, before. Usually, people change jobs (or careers completely), because we have found the one we are in just can’t be tolerated any longer. That isn’t the case with THIS job or this environment. I love it, I thrive on it, I am addicted to it. Gymnastics itself is a beautiful, hard, challenging addictive sport – but add to it fast paced decisions behind the scenes, huge meet productions, website design, apparel design and all the other details that go into keeping a program the size of Texas Dreams running (or any other well oiled program like it), and it is the perfect environment for the “get to work early, push up your shirt sleeves and hit the ground running” type of person. Thankfully, the person before me had so many systems in place, I didn’t have to flounder much (thank you Cindy), and the person who has replaced me is able to replace me seamlessly – and do it better (thank you Maria).
In my departure, people have told me I am the “face of” Texas Dreams. To that I say “hogwash”! Kim and Chris are the heart and soul of Texas Dreams Gymnastics. The athletes – from recreational to Elite, and all the coaches who work so tirelessly and with all the heart they have – those are the faces of Texas Dreams Gymnastics. Every medal won, every skill mastered, every drop of sweat, or tears of joy or sorrow – those are the faces of Texas Dreams Gymnastics. While I will miss those chalky hugs – I won’t miss the faces because I will continue to watch and support this club and all those kids. This is a special place – and it has been a special, special time.
This week marks the second HUGE change in my life in as many months. In August I sent my “baby” off to college, leaving me a true empty nester – and this week I will return to Austin, Texas and leave a job I have loved and one that has loved me back. For the last six years, I have “worked” as the Team Coordinator for Texas Dreams Gymnastics, and I have never lacked for sweaty, chalky hugs, appreciative parents, and – in my case – all the great gymnastics I could possibly consume in a day.
I’ve never had the experience of leaving a job I truly liked, before. Usually, people change jobs (or careers completely), because we have found the one we are in just can’t be tolerated any longer. That isn’t the case with THIS job or this environment. I love it, I thrive on it, I am addicted to it. Gymnastics itself is a beautiful, hard, challenging addictive sport – but add to it fast paced decisions behind the scenes, huge meet productions, website design, apparel design and all the other details that go into keeping a program the size of Texas Dreams running (or any other well oiled program like it), and it is the perfect environment for the “get to work early, push up your shirt sleeves and hit the ground running” type of person. Thankfully, the person before me had so many systems in place, I didn’t have to flounder much (thank you Cindy), and the person who has replaced me is able to replace me seamlessly – and do it better (thank you Maria).
In my departure, people have told me I am the “face of” Texas Dreams. To that I say “hogwash”! Kim and Chris are the heart and soul of Texas Dreams Gymnastics. The athletes – from recreational to Elite, and all the coaches who work so tirelessly and with all the heart they have – those are the faces of Texas Dreams Gymnastics. Every medal won, every skill mastered, every drop of sweat, or tears of joy or sorrow – those are the faces of Texas Dreams Gymnastics. While I will miss those chalky hugs – I won’t miss the faces because I will continue to watch and support this club and all those kids. This is a special place – and it has been a special, special time.
Categories: texas dreams gymnastics, gymnastics
