This is our family's 8th consecutive year having a daughter (or two!) attend the State Cross Country championships. Lauren was an alternate, but other than that, we have had the stress, the joy and the defeat affect all of our lives.
My highlights of those years as a Mother:
* 2003, Jenna's Freshman year, with everythting being "new". From the tradition of State gifts, to the honor Jenna had to run with Sunni, to the loss....
* 2005, Lauren's Freshman year. Both girls running together!!! The sweet Joy of Winning and Lauren breaking her foot in the final stretch...and still finishing...
* 2006...We were Nationally ranked and oh so awesome!....The most disappointing loss ever.
* 2009... Natalie's Freshman year. She took 90 seconds off her time the week before, to finish first on the team. Oh yes, they won and became the winningest Girls CC team in the State with 8 Titles. The best day ever....
Here we are again. I truly know the ups and downs of competing. Being there for your children when life isn't handing them what they were hoping for, or expecting. Praying with them and crying with them, but also sharing in their joys. Cross Country started out for us in the fall of 1995 when Jenna ran CC as a Kindergartner, and we have never looked back. I believe that those trials, successes and defeats have made my girls (and now my guys!) what they are today.
It is not just about running, it's about finding who you are in the process and loving that person for who she is....
2 comments:
Seriously I just started to tear up reading your last sentance. Well put Julie!
I'm disappointed you didn't include 2004!!
2004 - The team not expected to do anything that season.. and who came from behind and won state by only a few points!!
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