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Almost at the Finish!
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As you make your umpteenth trip to camp,
to the pool, to Rita’s, to the library, to the grocery store, to
anywhere that will keep your children occupied for more than thirty
seconds, Girls on the Run and the triumph of the Wondergirl 5K feel a
million miles away. And while you know that your daughter crossing the
finish line was hugely significant at that moment, now you wonder if
the change you saw in her is lasting. Is the girl who pushed herself
to new limits and set higher goals for herself the same one that is
whining that she’s bored or giving you lip about one thing or another.
Where did my Girls on the Run girl go? Did I imagine her or was she
really here only a few weeks ago?
As coaches, we can’t
help but wonder how much of what we throw at our team during the
lessons actually sticks. Will the girls really remember that like
toothpaste, nasty remarks cannot be squeezed back into the tube? Will
they remember that it doesn’t matter how fast you are but rather how
hard you try and if you are a team player? Will they remember that
taking care of your body is a top priority? Will they remember how to
be a good listener to their friends? Will they remember the best way
to voice their anger?
Chances are they won’t remember all of the
things we tried to impress upon them over the course of the season.
But they will remember some of them. And they will be better people as
a result.
Girls on the Run reiterates the life lessons and
messages that girls get at home, at school, at church, at Girls Scouts,
etc. But they are packaged in the form of a team/personal endeavor and
delivered by a different messenger. And as ones who care deeply about
our girls specifically and girls in general, it is our duty to keep
delivering the messages, keep harping on the same old themes of self
esteem, personal belief, the importance of accomplishing a goal, the
gratification of being kind to others, the payoffs of taking care of
yourself physically and mentally. The more ways we can find to send
the messages, the greater the chances that they will be received by
some girl at some time. You never know how or when you are going to
strike a cord in a girl but it your job to believe that you will and to
keep trying.
So look that sassy preteen of yours in the eye
and remember that one day your daughter will grow up to become an
amazing woman who can accomplish amazing things, thanks to the faith
you had in her and her ability to grow. Wondergirls do become
Wonderwomen. Just look in the mirror for proof
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