Sometimes I think it’s easier to be miserable than happy. Misery does love company, but joy is a much more complicated beast.
My dad used to talk about famous athletes and marvel at the way the public loves them on their road to success. Then once they are on that pedestal, they become blood thirsty to knock them down.
I can’t possibly know what it feels like to be one of those athletes, but I see hints of this all over on a much smaller scale.
Clark has been doing gymnastics for over a year now and Simon just over 6 months, and I cannot say enough about how incredible the experience has been. The coaches at Shrewsbury Gymnastics really focus on developing the whole child from building emotional and physical strength to respect and discipline. Any child lucky enough to pass through the doors to this “igloo” as Clark calls it, is guaranteed to walk out a better person.
This is the easiest time in life. When everyone gets a medal for trying and when people ask my boys, what did they win, they stare back in confusion. What have they won? Self-confidence, discipline, strength, concentration, flexibility, and pride in themselves…the medals signify much more than a triumph over others. It is just a glimmer of what has grown within.
Then it was time to celebrate by eating lunch at their favorite place Panera Bread or as Clark likes to call it “The Not Stinky Restaurant.”
We all can’t wait to see Peter join the boys and show what he can do. After all of the observing, he will have no trouble jumping right in (literally).
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