Little gymnast...

We have a little gymnast in our home. My daughter has been doing gymnastics since she was 2 years old. At the beginning, it was just a reason to get out of the house. Since then she has been picked to be a part of the team in her gym. She does practice quite a lot during the week and one day on the weekend.

Some days she does complain about going to practice, but not even once she complained when we walked into the gym. She runs off and disappears into the background of trampolines, balance beams, and bars.

This is the first year she has started to compete in her level. I know it has been hard for her to be “judged”. It has been also extremely hard for me. I want her to succeed and do well but have no control over it. I get the butterflies every time she gets out there. While I am shaking on the side lines when she falls of the balance beam, she gets right back on to it and finishes with a great smile. On one side, I keep telling myself “What are we doing? She is only 6” on the other side; I can see how she is learning the value of hard work, practice, and perseverance. She does also have great friends and have lots of fun… I just love her the way she is with or without medals but deep down I want her to do well, just so that she could enjoy the rewards of long practices and enjoy the pride of getting on the podium.

Last weekend she was in one of the last meets of the season. She did very well in the first two routines (floor and vault) but not so well on the other two (bar and the balance beam). She got 3 gleaming medals. She is so special, and to us she already is a champion...