Last week we celebrated Mother's Day and I felt inspired to write my Mom a note about her impact on me as a young athlete.
Dear Mom,
As I got on the road last weekend for yet another basketball tournament I began thinking about my childhood. My daughter was sound asleep in her uniform & it reminded me of how you made sports possible for me as a kid. For six months you would give up your Saturday to drive me two hours so I could compete.
When I was done with a race, you were the first one to greet me with a smile,a hug, & a sandwich. You never tried to instruct or correct my technique. You trusted the coaches, and you told me to listen to every word they said. I don't think you even cared if I won or lost, you were just happy to be there and happy to be my Mom.
One of my favorite memories is your cooler full of sandwiches and fruit. You always had an extra sandwich for my coach and I would swell up with pride when I got to deliver it to him. You took care of everyone who needed anything and my friends and coaches trusted you.
You wrote the checks, you washed the uniforms, you stood in the rain. You raised money and baked about a million cookies.
On parents day, you gladly stood on the track and participated despite having no clue what to do. As a young girl, you were not able to compete in anything and I think that experience fueled you to help your daughter who wanted to run races.
I'm driving my daughters all over the place every weekend now and they really have you to thank. You set the example, and you set the bar very high for engagement and parental participation.
I even have a sandwich for the coach today, and your granddaughter will deliver it happily!
I love you and I thank you!
Cheryl
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