Now where's that handbook?

   
      Three and one half years ago we walked into the local gymnastics gym in search of an environment for my daughter who wouldn't stop jumping, leaping, hanging off tree limbs, the fridge door, & running with ribbons taped to sticks. I'm standing here starring down at the gym floor, my daughter winks at me with a thumbs up! without interruption to her conditioning. Mostly smiles through what I describe as a grueling workout. She told me she's working on her floor choreography. I am attempting to absorb the fact that we are now bringing everything together for competition. She's officially in competition season. She's officially on Level 4 USA Team! I think I am going to need to sit down.
    
     The 2012 Olympics in London just wrapped up. Words cannot even begin to describe what an amazing presentation of dedication by such remarkable gymnasts. I will never forget in 1976 watching Nadia Comaneci score the first Perfect 10! And then another, and another! The sport had a cataclysmic change at that moment. It was like yesterday!
     
    It feels like yesterday she was just in the toddler room. I remember sitting there plastered to the glass watching with such amazement & pride. I couldn't have imagined how different my life would have been if we had a facility as wonderful as this gym?! I remember actually humbly laughing off the comments about how talented my daughter was at 3 years old! Quite frankly, she was doing what she was always doing. They just didn't see it like I did. It was her normal. But now, Team USA!?
     
     I heard this day would come. I also heard that what seemed expensive up until this point was only an icing on the gymanstics cake. It meant travel. Overnights. Being truly serious & committed to being on-time (my downfall as a mother). Doing her hair! The right clothes. Her diet. LEOS!! LEOS!! And MORE LEOS!!! No more backyard trampoline covered with Dawn dish soap & the sprinkler underneath...NO MORE BACKYARD TRAMP!!? The brothers will probably always hold that against her (still debating on this one). Packing certain snacks. Plenty to drink. Certain shoes. Injuries. OMG! What about injuries? What happens if she is injured? Somebody catch me...I'm feeling the floor getting closer to me...
    
     I have now completely lost sight of watching my daughter in all her glory & having a near panic attack standing here by myself. I am letting my well versed worry get the best of me. I've got to focus on the blessing in this journey. I've got to stop thinking about this & do what I am suppose to do...watch my daughter. SMILE! Thumbs up! Show her that in this sport she has no boundaries. Provide her with the stability she needs to be successful in any capacity that fits. To also balance family, education & being a kind, thoughtful, sharing friend & team-mate. To love her for all that she chooses at only 6 years old.
   
     Exactly! Six years old. I'm a grown woman & I still don't know what the hell I'm doing. But she does! She knows as clear as a bell what she is suppose to be doing every single day. Everything else comes second to gymnastics. That doesn't mean she accomplishes any less, like school. It just means that in her order of things, gymnastics is first. She begins first grade this year and is already talking about an online school, as going to a brick & mortor building has the possibility of interfering with her practices. She said it loud & proud when they told her she is off of Pre-Team & offically USA Level 4 Team..."I'm gonna be the Level 4 State Champion!" With no questions asked! Now that's a rock star! "

"Shoot for the moon! Because no matter what you still land somewhere amongst the stars!"

     She's not a bit scared about any of this. I on the other hand need to start thinking about someone to photograph & video tape at competitions in addition to everything else...I'm rather loud & energetic! I'm also have that over-exuberant amount of energy blended with a mothers tears of pride & joy. I certainly don't want to overwhelm the video with my high spirits! We don't need to watch her gymnastics videos 20 years from now & be drowned out by an emotional mother? I mean, I really need to save myself the embarrassment & roasting now, right?! This is all about her & her beautiful journey towards her first season in competition. Although, I'm sure you will hear me anyways...people find me in public because of my loud laugh. It is what it is. No matter what I am so unbelievably proud of my daughter! She has made me a better & softer woman & mom! 
    
     Now, where's that rule book?!