It's been a very long time since I went to a regional qualifying competition. For years, it was a huge part of my life. In some odd, twisted way I miss the adrenaline rush. I miss the chaos and I even miss the long days, the early morning practice ice, the catch-as-catch-can meals and the travel to cities I never thought I'd experience in one lifetime.
When we were going through it, we couldn't wait to be done. Now, I find myself thinking about all that time and I'm grateful - not only for having had the opportunity, but for still being able to count as friends so many people who shared that time with me. Each of us came to the experience in different ways, and the way each of us experienced this time of year was unique to our lives and families. Many have left and gone on to other roles and other lives, but many of us are still here. We may not be in the bleachers this time of year, but we are still here loving this sport. When all is said and done, that's what truly counts.
In 2009, shortly after I began to chronicle my opinions about Life on the Edge, I wrote a blog about Regionals aimed at new parents in the sport. With the season set to begin next week for so many, I thought this might be a good time to resurrect those remembrances and reintroduce them to a new generation of skating parents and coaches as they begin their own, singular and personal journeys into the abyss.
I hope you enjoy this re-posting of
No comments:
Post a Comment