I am…
Hard work and dedication.
Exhaustion and frustration.
Success and disappointment, smiles and tears.
Early mornings and late nights, even on weekends.
Loud alarms and cold water practices before everyone
else is awake, including the sun.
The adrenaline rush after diving into the pool
at the start of the 500 freestyle.
Tight swim suits, goggle lines, dry skin, and
wet hair.
The result of countless hours and miles spent
training.
Push-ups, pull-ups, squats, sit-ups and laps
after laps in the pool.
A swimmer.
I am…
A daughter, the youngest of two, raised in a
loving home where family comes first and ourselves come last, always told to do
your best and never give up, taught to set high goals and believe in ourselves.
A sister, the youngest of two, lovingly teased
through childhood and supported into adulthood.
A friend, busy and distant but always supportive,
loving and caring but brutally honest.
An employee, faced the challenge of working
with the elderly, taking orders and cleaning up, being patient when the
residents cannot hear and when they forget things, getting to know someone like
your own grandparent and having to say goodbye because their time has come to
leave this world.
A candidate, nervously waiting every day for
the letter in the mail, eager to know what the future holds, determined and
hopeful to go to Annapolis, willing to fight for our country’s freedom.
Me, dedicated and determined, hardheaded and
short tempered, stubborn and independent, but loving and caring, with the
ability to put others first.
I admire your dedication to the sport--it's got to be a challenge to get up before the sun, as you said, and hit that cold water. It's also got to be both heartbreaking and fulfilling to care for people with such limited time left, who leave just when you've gotten attached. I bet they're crazy about you. Your selfless nature, strong family support system, and determination will serve you well in life. Thanks, Boo!
ReplyDeleteI admire your dedication both to swimming and the marines. I also really love when you say "where family comes first and ourselves come last." That's what a real family should be in my opinion.
ReplyDelete