3:19
It seems like it has been forever since her last track meet. Today, Emily finally got to compete in her second track meet. I took some pictures, and she learned some lessons (drinking a lot of gatorade right before a race is not a good idea). More notably: she got 2nd place in the long jump in her first time ever competing in that event, and she bettered her 800m time by 6 seconds, despite drinking too much before the race. Much as I want her to do well, she really has to do and learn this stuff for her self. Much as I want to be uber dad-coach, that isn’t what she wants from me. She wants me to be supportive and helpful, not pressuring and intense.
I also remembered just how lucky I was as a kid, and by extension, just how lucky my kids are. At least one of my parents (if not both) were at every track meet, I believe, from 7th through 12th grade. If they missed a meet (I don’t think so), it was incredibly rare. Though I know I didn’t spend a lot of time hanging out with my parents during those meets, in hind sight it added comfort and support to my experience. I knew they loved me because they showed it by being there for me to celebrate the victories, and to help with the character building experiences. My parents, and Emily’s parents, continue this trend.
Anne, Nathan, Grandma (Grandpa not pictured)
