Sunday, September 16, 2012

What Makes a Champion

Another Monday, another gymnastics story.  This one is a little different though.

This weekend we watched Wasabi Girl in another gymnastics meet.  She did fairly well, and after rotating around to the different events we settled into seats for her last event, the uneven bars.

All the girls lined up to warm up.  They put on their grips, chalked up, and started their swings and flips.

And then it happened.  Every parent's worst nightmare.  A fall.  Hard.  On one ankle.  The crowd gasped and the gymnast's face told the whole story of pain.

A coach was right there to scoop her up and take her to the sidelines for ice and an exam by a nurse.  It was agony to see.

The rest of the girls had to finish the bars and then because it was the end of the meet, they gathered to sit by the winners' podium to hear the results and see who was to receive medals.

Injury couldn't stop the team spirit, so with the nurse's help and a lot of limping and grimicing, the injured girl sat with her team on the floor.

When the injured girl's name was called for a medal, Wasabi girl stood up, put her teammate on her back and carried her up to the podium.  The crowd cheered.  It was a beautiful moment, repeated several times as she won more medals.

I don't care about medals, although Wasabi Girl has won her share, including at this meet.  I know a real champion when I see one.  I am so proud of her.  Being on this gymnastics team has brought out the very best in her.  It didn't hurt that I overheard other parents telling her they had tears in their eyes when they saw what she did.  I know I did too.



I took this picture after the meet.  More smiles than pain at this moment because we stopped by a restaurant for a quick bite to refuel the girls after a long meet and before the injured friend has to spend a long afternoon at the doctor's office.  Fingers crossed that all goes well for her.


3 people stopped folding laundry to write:

Coloradolady said...

That my sweet friend is better than any medal for a parent!! Congrats all around on a wonderful, caring daughter who is also very talented!!

Rosemary said...

Your pride in Wasabi Girl shines through in your post. I enjoy reading all your stories about your children's accomplishments and this story about Wasabi Girl's thoughtfulness is one of my favourites. Congratulations on a fantastic job of raising three very special kids.

Tami said...

My goodness - that made me weepy! What a beautiful girl, and what good parenting she has obviously had! :)

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