Thanksgiving 2011. I give thanks for all of my blessings today.
Emily has been taking a few private lessons with her coach Svetlana Stabourova. Emily would like to try to improve her Bars and Vault technique before the State Level 5 Championships in two weeks.
There was a coaching change at TIGAR mid-year. Her old bar and vault coach Yevgen, left TIGAR due to issues unrelated to gymnastics. Losing Yevgen was a shock to Emily's mindset. She really misses him. Mac Whitely started coaching the Level 5 girls in May and Emily has not been won over to Mac's coaching style and it shows in her vault and bar scores.
I sit back and wonder if I am doing the right thing by Emily every day that I take her to the gym. She loves gymnastics, she's got the perfectionist attitude. She wants to win. It's really all that's on her mind. I don't know much about this sport, but I do know what works for my child, and Svetlana knows how to get Emily past her difficulties where Mac doesn't seem to be having an impact. One of the parents at the gym, who has a daughter that's not doing very well this season, stated to me that "not one child from this gym will ever make it to the Olympics or use these skills anywhere else". I beg to differ. I refuse to believe that statement. I believe that there are at least 7 girls at this gym that have the drive and potential to get to the Elite level with the right coaching, as long as they don't mentally flame out or suffer a major injury.
I really feel that the discipline and drive to succeed instilled in this sport, can only benefit my child throughout her life. When I was young I showed horses. That was my passion as a kid. It was alot of work and dedication. It served me later in life and gave me the self-motivation and drive I needed to be able to survive this life on my own. I don't want my girls to have the mindset that their husbands will take care of them financially - life doesn't always work out like that and you have to survive somehow - will my girls have that ability?
I believe that all 7 of the girls mentioned before will be successful in their own right in whatever they choose to do because of the values of hard work instilled in them now, with gymnastics competition. If Emily wasn't doing well and her school work was suffering, I don't know if I would continue to support her in this sport - but this kid's test scores are 1% of the nation academically. I am not bragging but stating a fact that this one's a freaking genius when it comes to school and it's very time consuming for the teachers to keep her challenged. Gymnastics seems to only compliment Emily's day and make her much easier to deal with. When there's a break in her routine, she becomes a little tyrant. I am still working on that one, not sure how to temper that without breaking the spirit in the process.
As a parent, this isn't my first rodeo - but... I still question every decision that I make with Emily. I questioned every move I made with Annie and every move I made with Kathleen. Anne's 25 now, graduated from College and in a successful marketing career and engaged to be married next June. I want to believe that I instilled self-confidence in my girls by supporting them in their efforts.
With Annie's theatre and singing though, there was a point when I sat down and gave her a reality check. In our heart-to-heart I pointed out that less than 1 percent of the population would ever be famous for their acting or singing talent. I told her she needed skills to survive this life and that she should pursue a passion that would allow her success in this life, I was lucky. Annie is a pretty smart cookie and understood clearly what I was saying. She chose technical journalism. Annie is a fabulous writer. I am glad she chose that route. She also still pursues her passion, in community theatre, but it isn't a main source of income.
With Kathleen (19) I tried to instill the importance of her pursuing her own passion and not allowing others push her into a direction of their choosing. There's been alot of parental interference with Kathleen's dad. If I say white, he'll accuse me of saying black. It's been a difficult road with Kathleen due to parental polarization and alot of negative energy that I can finally put behind me since she's turned 19. Kathleen seems to be doing just fine now that she's her own person and can make alot of her own choices. Her dad still tries to control her, but she's 50% me too, so I have faith my headstrong nature resides in her. Kat's still a bit unsure of what she wants to pursue as a career. I will continue to support her emotionally as much as she will allow.
With Emily... well this is a difficult one. In my heart I want to believe that this child is the one in 1%. She's as smart as a whip, and determined to win it all. If anybody can do it, I truly believe that this one will never stop reaching for her goals. Emily is much more work emotionally than either Annie or Kathleen. She's a handful and a half. I never know if I am actually getting through to her. She's got both Kevin and my headstrongness. She's got her dad's charm and she has his same ability to get under your skin as he did. You'll either love her or she'll drive you nuts.
I just pray she stays healthy in mind and body and doesn't get beat down by what life can throw at you. I pray I can financially figure out how to get this kid to her goal as long as she's willing to continue the dedication of working at it every day. I pray that she performs well at the Level 5 Championships and I pray that I am making the right choices by this child. I pray that she goes into this State Meet with the confidence and ability to grab her brass ring. I am not willing to have a pessimistic attitude when it comes to Emily's future. I believe this child has what it takes in this sport. I will continue on this track with Emily and pray for her continued successes. Annie, Kathleen and Emily are my legacy upon this earth and they have always made me proud. I love my girls and thank God every day that he allowed me to guide these three beautiful young ladies through the first part of their life journey. I just hope they don't hold it against me when they pick my nursing home!
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