I've said before and I will say again, it is critical that you volunteer for your club and your skaters. That is what keeps the coffers full and the skaters on the ice. Don't underestimate the importance of getting involved. But I have to admit that when you have reached a certain point and your skater is gone, the club is no longer an integral part of your life and real life simply gets in the way, it is difficult to find the time that you once carved out to make all those things happen.
But, don't do as I do. You have lots of years in front of you to look at what was behind you. If you have a skater and are the member of a club that is hosting a competition, do as I say: Get out there. Forget the petty fights; ignore the problems. Remember who is really important here - the skaters. This isn't about you. This is about them. This is about teaching them that being involved is more than sitting in the stands session after session during any given week. This is about the payoff. This is about showing them that no matter what - and no matter what the outcome - you are there and working; you are committed and you are supportive.
Save and savor this time, as much for your skater as you do for yourself.
If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I'd like to do
Is to save every day
Till Eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you
If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I'd save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you
But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them....
Great post! I guess I’m in a similar position. I have great memories of volunteering at the Broadmoor Open. I used to be the chair of the runners, and it was a highlight for me to be able to view the competition through the younger skaters’ eyes. Volunteering definitely helps out the club and skaters—and I think it also gives skating parents a positive, larger perspective during a competition.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post, Allison, and very timely. I like this part:
ReplyDeleteForget the petty fights; ignore the problems. Remember who is really important here - the skaters. This isn't about you. This is about them.
Thank you.
Thank you, ladies. We do need to remember...and never forget WHY we do/did this.
ReplyDeleteIt was so hard to find a new way of being part of the rink that my daughter grew up in, after she was gone, since I also coach there. It's been almost a blessing that an entirely new generation of skaters who don't know her are now coming up.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you can move on without leaving.
Lovely post.
This is such a touching post, thank you for sharing these deep thoughts with the blogging community! I'm finding it hard to find the motivation to be part of these things, but maybe it'd be different if I have a Skate Kid.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
There is a post script to this post. With a change in schedule, for work and personal reasons, I did go to the rink today. While I don't have time to volunteer this time around, the experience was - well - memorable.
ReplyDelete