Thirty-One Days in a Row

I figured out last night, that if Frank qualifies for states this coming weekend, which he may very well do since he’s less than a second off state time in 100 fly, it’ll be something like 31 days in a row I’ve had to get up and out of the house before 7am. Most days I come back home by 7:15am, because those are drop off at school days. But the Saturday and Sunday meets are tough.

I’m optimistic and hopeful despite the early mornings, since this will be such a huge accomplishment for Frank, who has been swimming two years this weekend. When he started he was in the lowest group, even though he was twice as tall as any other kid in it. He persevered, didn’t give up even though he was embarrassed about his ability versus his age. He worked hard, really hard. Soon he moved up two levels within his same group, and then moved up to the next group. It all happened in less than a year. Now he is on what they call the Junior National Performance team, there is only one more level he can achieve and he is working hard to do so.

What I admire most about Frank is he just goes and does it. He doesn’t need a friend along, he doesn’t even need a friend on the team, he just goes and does the work. Not all teens are so willing to do something new in the face of assured embarrassment. He made friends along with they way, good friends, who I predict he will stay friends with for the rest of his life.   

The early mornings are tough, especially that 6:00am practice on Saturday morning, but the rewards for me as a mom are worth every groggy morning. After all, I get to come back home and get back in bed. Frank has to swim for two hours. 

As with most mornings, most days, and most nights . . . I feel incredibly blessed that I get to be the mother of two amazing boys, who fill my heart with joy and love until I feel as though it will burst.