To My Gymnast on the Night of her First Competition

Dear my beautiful gymnast on the night before your first competition,

I’m not sure how we ended up here but I’m so glad that we did.  We didn’t plan to have you in competitive gymnastics.  We didn’t research the best gyms or coaches or programs in our area.  I had spent years telling you no to gymnastics.  Actually, one of mommy’s best friend’s asked me to sign you up for a 4 week summer class, and I said yes.

This was not supposed to be “your thing.”. You were a beautiful ballerina.  With beautiful lines and pointy toes.  Your cartwheels were crooked, but the coaches saw more, and so did I.  You had a sparkle in your eyes and a determination I had never seen in you before.  Instead of getting angry or frustrated when something wasn’t naturally perfect, you just practiced and practiced until it came easily.  Three classes in, you were invited into an advanced class and then the competitive team.  The amount of progress you’ve made in six months is mind boggling!

You practice for two hours a day, twice a week, and are still flipping as we walk out the door.  You’ve never complained once about going to practice.  You’re so very excited about your first competition tomorrow, and even more excited that it’s on your birthday weekend.  You have hopes for lots of gold medals tomorrow.  When I tried to remind you that it was your first meet and that you might not win a gold medal, and we were just so excited to see you do your best, you reminded me that it was everyone on your team’s first meet, and you planned to win some gold medals.  Dream big, baby girl, dream big.  I don’t have a competitive bone in my body, but you do, and to watch the hard work you’ve put in and the confidence that you have makes me so proud!!

You fell asleep without any trouble tonight, but I lay awake doing all of your worrying for you.  Will you win any medals?  Will you get nervous and freeze?  Will you fall?  Will you get hurt?  No one can answer these questions, but we do know that no matter what, you will do your very best, and we will be so incredibly proud of you!