Friday, June 7, 2013

Tough Little Cookie

I thought summers were supposed to be relaxing!  Whoever said that obviously didn't have a gymnast for a daughter and an "I want to do everything" 3 year old son.  Amelia was in the gym all week I am absolutely amazed by her.  She started a new class today and I couldn't be more proud.  She learned something today she will remember for the rest of her life.

I saw the coaches head toward the rope and I knew exactly what was about to happen.  Amelia was going to have to climb that thing only using her arms; no help from her legs.  She grabbed the rope and started to pull herself up.  I watched as she inched up slower and slower until finally she came to a complete stop.  As I looked at her face, I saw tears (She NEVER cries at gymnastics, EVER). The coach told her she could use her legs to help her reach to the top of the rope.  Through her tears, she pulled and pulled and pulled.  The coaches, along with her brother and I, were encouraging her every step (or pull) of the way.  It seemed like it took an hour but she finally reached the top.  As soon as her hands hit the metal, she threw her head back and cried like a baby.  She wasn't crying because of fear or pain but because she had simply done it.  Do you have any idea how tough that was for me to witness?  What I wanted to do was grab her off the rope, get her some water, and cradle her like a baby.  But what I did was standby, cheer, and watch a little girl push herself in a way she didn't think was possible.  It was such an awesome thing to see. 

So, yes.  I'm glad she likes gymnastics and I'm glad she has made new friends doing it.   I'm also glad she has won medals and trophies for all of her hard work.  But today made me realize it's so much more than that.  Today, Amelia realized she can do anything.  Did she make it to the top of the rope with only using her arms?  No.  Does she think she will soon?  Absolutely.

( I had to sneak away to write this and as I was heading upstairs, I had to step over Amelia.  She was in the floor....in the splits.)